Does reality shape our thoughts ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

Does reality shape our thoughts or is it the other way around? Pessimists, often disguising themselves as realists, maintain they adjust their way of thinking to reality. On the other hand, optimists often believe their thoughts and ideas shape a new reality. What is clear, is that the moment we become participants, we influence what happens around us and vice versa. Last week, we mentioned that the komi--the compensation White receives for Black playing the first move--had changed from 5.5 to 6.5 points and how this had lowered the winning ratio from 52.5 percent to 50.5 percent for Black. The amazing thing is that before this change, the number of 0.5-point wins by Black was only around 1 percent. Therefore, the psychological factor must be brought into the equation. In fact, after the change in the komi, many things changed. The White player's style became more laid-back, while Black's became more aggressive. In other words, White played with more confidence and Black with less.

Psychology influences the score

After the komi changed, former Kisei Naoki Hane had an unusually long streak of losses. Of course, the one-point change was not the reason, but Hane felt it was, and he lost about the same number of games on Black as on White. Clearly, the tiny change had great consequences.

At present, defender Cho U (Black) and challenger Shinji Takao are battling for the Meijin title, with the latter leading 3 games to 2. Let us have a look at the fourth game, which White won by half a point.

Diagram 1: Approaching with 3 and turning to the empty corner with 7 is one of Cho's trademarks. He treats 3 and 5 lightly and is prepared to sacrifice these stones at the drop of a hat. In the meanwhile, he plans to build up the right side. White 26 prevents Black from playing out the joseki black A, white B and black C, while threatening to cut at A. However, in line with his earlier strategy, Black ignores this threat and expands to 27. White then invades at 28. How should Black defend against this intrusion? Should he defend the right with D or the top with E? What would you do and why?

Reference 1: In response to White's marked stone, the first thing that comes to mind is 1. However, White would attach at 2, which would probably be followed by the sequence through to 10. As a result, White has established a strong but light presence inside Black's sphere of influence, while threatening to reduce the right with B or even invading. At the same time, the cut at A is the least of Black's worries, as all of his marked stones are isolated and are subject to attack.

Diagram 2: To prevent his marked stones from being attacked, Black chooses 1, followed by white 2. After black 3, White should not connect at 16 as black A next would make these stones very heavy. White proceeds lightly through 10, but Black launches a strong attack with 11. White then forces the sequence through 27. How will he proceed?

Diagram 3: The moves through 7 form a strategy devised by Honinbo Shusaku (1829-62), one of the game's greatest players. His unparalleled record of 19 straight wins in the so-called castle games at the shogun's castle earned him the nickname Invincible Shusaku. While preventing a White move there, black 7 sets up A, B and C. However, this was before the introduction of the komi system. After komi was adopted--initially 4.5 points--7 was considered a slow move.

Diagram 4: After the komi system was introduced, a new pattern appeared where Black pincers White's stone around 1. The idea is to naturally get an extension around 5 that also puts pressure on White's marked stone.

New Problems

Problem 1: This looks like a simple problem, but it is loaded with traps. Where should Black play to get the best result?

Problem 2: Occasionally a situation similar to this one arises. What is White's strongest counter to black 1?

Problem 3: Look again at Diagram 2. How should White proceed after black 27? Try to determine White's best sequence.

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