Becoming 9 Kyu - Lesson 5

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Black[1d]

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White[1d]

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Rules: Japanese

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This lesson focuses on the basic principles of the opening and why we play in the corners, sides, and center (in that order).

LESSON 5: PRINCIPLES OF THE OPENING - CORNERS, SIDES, CENTER
I think everyone already knows this, but we'll cover it once more to fully understand the fundamentals.

Let's have a look at this. Each group surrounds 9 points in the corner, on the side, and in the center. Black needs 6 moves in the corner to get 9 points. He needs 9 stones on the side, and 12 stones in the center. Therefore, the corner is the most efficient place to make territory. It's followed by the side, and finally the center. Since there are 2 edges in the corner, black needs fewer stones. That's why black can easily make points with just a few moves. The side has 1 edge, while the center is wide open. Clearly the corner is the easiest place to surround territory. In contrast, it's hardest to do so in the center. I suppose you'll know these facts well. However, this rule also applies to the strength and weakness of groups.

Move 0 + 12

March 28, 2015

[20:10] Kungfu Panda[2k]: agree!

Move 0 + 20

[20:12] mark5000[1d]: Any answers?

[20:13] Midna[2k]: yes, but I am not above 9 kyu :P

[20:13] mark5000[1d]: Black to play. Where?

Move 0 + 12

[20:13] TheIrregularVerb[7k]: R12 seems like a key point.

Move 0 + 20

[20:13] eross[12k]: R12 ?:)

[20:13] Dacdac[14k]: Variation: d1

[20:13] ThomasHeinrich[15k]: r15

[20:13] Midna[2k]: Q13

[20:13] Kungfu Panda[2k]: Q13

[20:14] yukizen[15k]: r6

[20:14] mark5000[1d]: Oh, two 2 kyu players agree. What do you think?

Move 0 + 12

[20:14] TheIrregularVerb[7k]: the peep is definitely sente

[20:14] TheIrregularVerb[7k]: i.e. Q13

Move 0 + 28

[20:16] SJuice[9k]: it feels as if the pincer at 7 is a mistake or not an appropriate move :P

[20:16] wuoix[15k]: this might be a question for another time, but I feel like there's a big threat at R6?

[20:17] mark5000[1d]: There is, but black would be ok. White is in more danger than black because there are more stones at stake.

Move 0 + 33

[20:18] RoboTeddy[11k]: could white R15 instead of S15?

Move 0 + 30

[20:18] wuoix[15k]: Ah I see, the tradeoff is worse for white

Move 0 + 44

[20:19] kinda[4k]: I do not think if black place so many stones on the right upper corner, white need to give response

Move 0 + 60

[20:22] RoboTeddy[11k]: is this overall position badk for black? it looks like he has good potential on the right, and top

Move 0 + 73

[20:24] mark5000[1d]: It's slightly good for black, yeah

Move 0 + 14

[20:24] mark5000[1d]: This position is a little contrived, but let's roll with it. :)

[20:25] mkei[14k]: P10

[20:25] mkei[14k]: ?

[20:25] TheRealRio[13k]: s12?

[20:26] chopperだ[14k]: p11 ?

[20:26] SgtSunshine[18k]: S16?

[20:26] Kungfu Panda[2k]: p11?

[20:26] eross[12k]: p11

Move 0 + 15

[20:27] Kungfu Panda[2k]: that is you mkei!

Move 0 + 16

[20:27] chopperだ[14k]: mkei the winner!

[20:27] Kungfu Panda[2k]: ....

[20:27] RoboTeddy[11k]: it's not the right move though :)

[20:27] mark5000[1d]: It's close though. :)

Move 0 + 20

[20:27] mkei[14k]: p11 ?

Move 0 + 21

[20:28] mkei[14k]: ;)

Move 0 + 38

[20:30] mkei[14k]: p11 ?

Move 0 + 39

[20:30] Mneme[5k]: p11 ?

[20:30] chopperだ[14k]: w00t!

Move 0 + 26

[20:30] Salomon[22k]: P10?

Move 0 + 41

[20:31] chopperだ[14k]: well done, me ;)

Move 0 + 46

[20:32] Midna[2k]: *golfclap*

[20:32] Midna[2k]: ;D

[20:32] chopperだ[14k]: ;P

Move 0 + 48

[20:32] Mneme[5k]: you are better than me chopper

Move 0 + 47

[20:32] RoboTeddy[11k]: now hane?

Move 0 + 48

[20:32] RoboTeddy[11k]: (n12)

[20:32] mkei[14k]: this is so big for b i think

[20:32] chopperだ[14k]: mneme: that's why I have a higher number next to my name. bigger is better, right? :P

Move 0 + 50

[20:32] mkei[14k]: w makes no territory witht this

Move 0 + 51

[20:32] Mneme[5k]: lol chopper

[20:32] mkei[14k]: and b buig potential bottotm

Move 0 + 53

[20:33] mkei[14k]: right i mean

[20:33] Mneme[5k]: nice

[20:34] Midna[2k]: so you suggest White looks for life immediately instead?

[20:34] RoboTeddy[11k]: maybe s16 for white?

Move 0 + 46

[20:35] Midna[2k]: How about 3-3?

[20:35] Midna[2k]: seems to have good relation with l17 and r14

Move 0 + 54

[20:37] Midna[2k]: oh right, n15

[20:37] Midna[2k]: thought it would be good aji

[20:38] mark5000[1d]: Any other questions?

[20:38] Lawzian9[14k]: Q18

Move 0 + 62

[20:38] mark5000[1d]: White is still ok. See?

Move 0 + 54

[20:38] Lawzian9[14k]: ok

Move 0 + 62

[20:38] Midna[2k]: Lawzian9: hane would be better

[20:38] Mneme[5k]: I feel my self not a 9 kyu

[20:39] Midna[2k]: but White has o17

Move 0 + 55

[20:41] mark5000[1d]: That's it for today's lecture about Becoming 9 Kyu

[20:41] mark5000[1d]: Remember the principle of the opening: corners, sides, center

[20:42] mark5000[1d]: Remember the 2 principles of attacking

[20:42] mark5000[1d]: Look for your opponent's weaknesses

[20:42] Mneme[5k]: when will be next lecture ?

[20:42] mark5000[1d]: And

[20:42] mark5000[1d]: Push your opponent into your thickness

[20:42] mark5000[1d]: I think the next lecture will be this time next week. However, I'm not sure about it.

[20:43] Mneme[5k]: thanks a lot for this lecture

[20:43] SgtSunshine[18k]: Thank you for your time

[20:43] mark5000[1d]: I will probably introduce a tesuji in a very short weeknight lecture on Thursday.

[20:43] RoboTeddy[11k]: thank you for the lecture

[20:43] RoboTeddy[11k]: the examples are great!

[20:43] Kungfu Panda[2k]: well setup!

[20:43] chopperだ[14k]: thanks mark

Move 0 + 12

[20:43] ThomasHeinrich[15k]: thanks!

Move 0 + 55

[20:43] Zizigooloo[14k]: thanks!

[20:44] mark5000[1d]: You're welcome. I hope you can remember the 3 principles and use them to defeat your rivals. :)

Move 0 + 12

[20:44] ThomasHeinrich[15k]: i hope too :D

Move 0 + 54

[20:44] Midna[2k]: when this go generation becomes you will have to make "How to become a 1d"

[20:44] Midna[2k]: becomes 9k*

[20:45] mark5000[1d]: Maybe someday!

[20:45] Midna[2k]: x)

[20:45] mark5000[1d]: I'd like to do Becoming 5 Kyu first. When all the beginner topics are done

[20:45] chopperだ[14k]: in the meantime, I'll start making some tutorials on how to become a 6d. I want to help mark improve :)

[20:45] mark5000[1d]: Baby steps :))

Move 0 + 73

[20:45] RoboTeddy[11k]: is there a list of the earlier lectures?

Move 0 + 54

[20:45] mark5000[1d]: Thanks!

[20:45] mark5000[1d]: Catch up on earlier lectures in easy-to-read text here: becoming 9-kyu-a-series-for-beginners

May 26, 2015

[16:15] gregagimpelj[17k]: Variation: d1

Move 0 + 27

March 5, 2020

[20:46] OuttaSpace[6k]: Variation: What if black plays here

[20:46] OuttaSpace[6k]: I dont get why this should be worse for black for me it seems as if black made more points than white

Move 0 + 54

January 26, 2021

[0:33] VII[22k]: Variation: 2

Move 0 + 33

November 26, 2024

[6:43] evan.1991z[?]: Doesn't black also in huge trouble in the bottom right corner?

[6:49] evan.1991z[?]: Variation: I mean if white just keeps attacking bottom right 4-4 black stone?

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