While doing the play-by-play commentary during a game ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

While doing the play-by-play commentary during a game, former Kisei titleholder Satoru Kobayashi said the difference between strong players and titleholders was not necessarily their talent. Besides having a strong physical constitution and concentration, he believed a strong heart was what set winners apart from merely strong players. Staying power, motivation and keeping one's mental focus in high gear, he said, were essential.

Direct outcome not all-important

Successes and failures--where everything worked or where there were unexpected pitfalls--are present in any game. It is important to realize that something went wrong but that it will not influence later play. The expression "Ignorance is bliss" should be taken to heart, because too much knowledge can actually be an obstacle to decision-making. Envisioning an ideal outcome can make you too inflexible. A keen application of what should happen in the greater scheme of things, regardless of what went wrong, seems to be the right attitude to develop mental fortitude. Becoming indulgent and lazy when things are going well must also be avoided, as everything could fall apart.

Diagram 1: In this game between Hideyuki Sakai and Rin Kono, a group is sacrificed unexpectedly, leading to something even more unexpected. Last week, we looked at a shape similar to the one at the top right where the cut at A was the focal point. If White cuts at A after black 13, Black will follow the sequence shown in Reference 1. After 14, White threatens to cut at A. But now the stones at 1 and 9 have fulfilled their duty, so if White cuts, Black will play at B, followed by white C and black D, sacrificing three stones as we discussed last week. Black 15 is in line with that strategy. Black 17 puts pressure on the corner while protecting against the cut at A and other threats in this area. With 18, White initiates a joseki (standard corner exchange) but deviates with 28, leading to the sequence through 32. A problem arises when Black attaches with 33. How should White respond? If he plays at E or F, Black secures a large territory with G and White's corner is still in jeopardy.

Reference 1: If White cuts after black 13, Black descends with 2. After 6, White must defend his corner with 7. However, he then loses the initiative in the center and, in the worst case, has to deal with the sequence 8 through 10.

Diagram 2 (White 66 connects where the marked stone was captured): In response to Black's marked move, White decides to sacrifice the corner and capture one stone with the sequence 34, 36 and 38. Black takes the corner with 37 and 39 but has to add another stone at 43. Black A would work to capture the corner but it would leave behind a lot of aji ga warui (bad potential). Black 41 is an interesting move. Defending at B is too passive for White and the exchange for 42 leaves behind a bad taste. For White, a move at 45 is honte (a proper move) but he chooses a far better move with 44. Black immediately starts an offensive with 45, leading to a huge battle. White 72 is a terrific move. We'll look at that next week.

Solutions to Sept. 30 problems

Solution 1: When Black cuts at 1, White exchanges 2 for 3, then sacrifices his two marked stones with 4 and 6. But after 8, Black keeps up the attack with 9, 11, 13 and 15. Next, Black sacrifices 11 and 13, while building a huge framework in the center. This game is instructive in the way both players sacrifice a few stones that have served their purpose to a greater end.

Solution 2: If Black cuts with 1, White plays at 2 and so on to get sente (initiative) after Black plays at 9.

This week's problems

Problem 1: In the game, Black played at A. What should White do if Black omitted this move?

Problem 2: Have another look at Diagram 2. White played at 72, an excellent move. How should Black counter this move?

Problem 3: When Black approaches with 1, White attached at 2. What is the purpose of this move? What was Black's response?

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