According to Buddhist teachings, ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

According to Buddhist teachings, man is unhappy because of attachments, called cravings. A better way is to embrace tightly but to let go easily. In other words, you should try to do everything you can to win the game, be it some aspect of the game of life or business or a real game like go. In the end, we may win some and lose some, but when we lose, it is time to let go and put it all in perspective. That way, we may lose but we will not be beaten. In go, we may lose a game, but through analysis and introspection, we can still benefit and use that knowledge and insight for a new game.

Sacrifice: tactical detachment

In every game, some stones are more important than others. However, even the stones that were important at one stage may lose their significance. There is no rational reason to stay attached to stones that have lost their meaning, but psychologically it is not always easy to stay detached and look at the bigger picture. The detached way of playing is also referred to as "light," as opposed to "heavy."

Diagram 1: Although white 4 is not in vogue anymore, we can still learn a lot from the sequence that starts when Black cuts at 9.

Diagram 2: Naturally, White wants to capture this stone, but even when all ladders are good for him, after 19, White's only option is the splendid attachment at 20--this saves all of his stones. However, Black can now force the sequence through 32, then try to barricade White's passage into the center with 33. At this point, White can capture Black's stones with A, black B, white C. But...

Diagram 3: ...of course, White tries to fight his way out. After black 41, he can capture Black once more with A, black B, white C, but that gives a bad result. Therefore, he goes on and finally escapes with the sequence through 56. Black forces the sequence 57 through 62, then defends with 63. All of Black's marked stones are dead, and White has about 40 points in territory, but Black's thickness is overwhelming. Black has shown detachment in regard to his stones and treated them lightly, while White indicated he was attached to the idea of capturing Black's stones. Needless to say, Black will win this game.

Solution to last week's problems

Solution 1A: After exchanging 1 for 2, the strong combination that kills the white group is black 3, 5, and 7. White A or B are met with black C.

Solution 1B: There are several ways for White to do better than in the previous diagram. The easiest move is 4 in response to black 3. This way, after white 6, it becomes ko when Black captures with 7.

Solution 2: In response to black 1, in the actual game, White played 2. Black 3 was a clever move that led to the sequence through 22, where Black is connected underneath with 15 while White makes life with 22. References 1, 2 and 3 show that this result is inevitable. After this, Black's group is in danger so he reinforces with 23 through 29, while White does the same through 32. With Black slightly leading, White starts a new fight with 36.

Reference 1: Sometimes, after black 1, white 2 is correct, but in this case, after White cuts with 8, Black captures him with 9 and 11.

Reference 2: Therefore in the game, White plays at 2. If Black unthinkingly plays 3 through 7, after white 10 he finds himself holding the short end of the stick. If he defends at A, White plays at B, so he loses either of these groups. This is a disaster for Black.

Reference 3: White must be careful after black 3. Playing at 4 (or at 6) is followed by 5, allowing Black to connect his stone with 7.

Problems

Problem 1: The moves through 15 are a joseki. Although this is a serious threat, in general, White will not cut at 16 right away. But if he does, how should Black reply? Hint, think light!

Problem 2: To reduce Black's sphere of influence, White plays 1 and 3. Black 4 gives White no chance to create complications. How should White proceed?

Van Zeijst is a four-time European go champion and European representative at the Fujitsu World Championship.