Another Win

Darkynou Even Game, Win, White + 11.5

http://www.mediafire.com/?3cz11dh1ztl

This was an interesting game. He was ranked 20 kyu which is one rank ahead of me. He asked to play as black. For those who don’t know, in Go, the stronger player usually plays as white and goes second. In compensation, he is given 6.5 (6 ½) komi points. Komi used to be 5 ½ but they changed it because black’s win ratio had gone over 51%. Who keeps track of these things? Anyway, I played white despite being rated the weaker player.

Move 5 He opened with a very aggressive fuseki. He immediately attacked my position rather than develop more space.

Move 34 I should have continued hane, had I pressed at O1 it would have removed a square of territory. As it is, he really won the opening salvo of this game. He took firm control over the bottom corners. I took the middle third of the bottom and had some influence over the left center. I begin an attack on his territory in the top.

Move 41 I’ve been bounced by you before Tigger. I feel I get too aggressive with this joseki. If he hadn’t let up he would have captured me here and solidified the corner.

Move 58 I catch him in a ladder but notice the ladder breaker WAAAAAY down there at F3. I’m glad I noticed it early.

Move 70 A capture at P 11 might have ended it right there but I opted for territory. Probably a mistake.

Move 100 The battle for that corner ends. I think I have the best of it but I allowed him too much territory in the center right of the board. Had I captured at 70 he would have no hope there.

Move 114, the beginning of two interesting races, I connect to make life on the first but leave him with too much influence over the unclaimed portion of the board.

Move 138, The second race begins. I take his influence and claim most of the left side of the board as my territory. It was all over but the dame at this point.

Move 168 Putting him in Atari at E 16 is really double Atari, when he chooses to extend to save the one stone I kill three and extend territory.

Move 190 insured life in the jeep formation in the center. Had he played there, he could have killed my group.