Answers To "How Good Is Your Go? - Part 1"

British Go Journal No. 15. [1] Autumn 1971. Page 12.

The answers to the questions posed on page 6 [2].
BGJ numbered the diagrams differently. Many of the terms used in this article are linked to the glossary [3] definitions.

1. The opening

Diagram 1 BGJ had as 'a', as D2 and D as D1.

10 points – Black 1 in Dia 1

There is a bewildering number of places Black would like to play but black 1, keima [4], is the pivot point for both players. Now, after black 1, Black can devastate the upper side with black 1, white and black J. On the other hand, if Black neglects 1 White will play ikkentobi [5] there and swell his moyo on the upper side.

Ref. Diagram 1a

Ref. Diagram 1b

8 points – Black 1 in Ref Dia 1a

Black's shoulder attack 1 is logical, then the sequence up to white 6 is possible. However, this is not quite as good as the correct answer, so only 8 points.

8 points – Black 1 in Ref Dia 1b

Black 1, boshi [6], unfortunately encounters white 2. this applies also to black A when White will again reply at 2. Both black 1 and A score 8 points.

7 points – A, B, C, D,

If Black encloses the corner at one of the three points A, B or C, it is a negative way of playing, so 7 points. Black's uchikomi [7] D looks good and together with gets 7 points.

6 points E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L

Black E and F give the impression of being a little loose, allowing White to enter the corner at the 3-3 point. Like G and H, these moves get 6 points.
On the upper side Black I, nozoki [8], and J, uchikomi [7], allow White I, ikkentobi [5], so they are not satisfactory. These plays score 6 points, as do K and L.

5 points – M, N, O, P, Q, R

Black plays in the wrong direction by defending the left side with M & N. Like O, they are unbalanced. 5 points, as for P, Q and R.

4 points – S

The numerous S points for Black are all inferior to the previous moves. Each of them gets 4 points.

3 points – All other reasonable moves

2. Three-move problem

Diagram 2

10 points – 1 to 3 in Dia 2

First black 1, the appropriate tesuji to force white 2, then black 3, osae [9], is the correct order of moves. After this, if white 4 hane, Black can start a ko fight with 5. If White plays 5, tsuke [10], instead of 4, Black destroys White with 4, sagari [11]. If you gave black 1 to 3, score 10 points.

Ref Diagram 2a

Ref Diagram 2b

7 points – Black 1 in Ref Dia 2a

If Black simply plays osae [9], 1, after white 2 his stones in the corner are unconditionally captured. This together with any of the tsugi [12] moves, 3, A, B or C gets 7 points.

7 points – Black 1 in Ref Dia 2b

After black 1, tsuppari [13], white 2, black 3 is 7 points too.
Black A instead of 3 is also good.
Also 7 points is the variation black B, oki [14], instead of 1, white C, black D, white E. Yet another variation for 7 points – black D, hane, white C.

Ref Diagram 2c

Ref Diagram 2d

6 points – Black 1 in Ref Dia 2c

After black 1, tsuppari [13], and white 2, black 3, hane, is a little heavy. If Black plays tenuki [15], and White cuts at A, then black 3 is the point to play. If you answered as in this diagram – 6 points.

5 points

Black B, osae, white 2 then black 3' at A – 5 points.

4 points – Ref Dia 2d

After black 1, sagari, White's crawling move 2, and black 3, Black seems to have won the semeai [16], but white 4, tsukidashi [17], prevents this, and after white 6 and 8, Black is captured. 4 points.

0 points

All other moves.

3. Playing inside the opponent's territory

Diagram 3

10 points – Black 1 to 9 in Dia 3

Black first plays the timely ikken-tobi [5], 1, then if White answers with tsugi [12], 2, black 3 is important. White 4, tsuke [10] is the utmost he can do and the sequence up to 9 results in seki, which is the right answer. 10 points.

Ref Diagram 3a

10 points – Black 1 to 9 in Ref Dia 3a

If White plays 2, tsuppari [13] in answer to black 1, black 3 and 5 are inevitable. Then white 6 to black 9 results in seki with White's sente. This is also a correct answer with 10 points.
If Black tries 7 instead of his 3, after white 5 he loses through meari-menashi (A semeai where the opponent has one eye and the other player none.).

Ref Diagram 3b

8 points – Black 1 to white 10 in Ref Dia 3b

After black 1 to black 9, White can only makea seki in gote, so this answer gets 8 points.

5 points

If White fills in a liberty at A instead of playing 8, Black creates a ko with kosumi [18] B, 5 points.

Ref Diagram 3c

7 points – Black 1 to 6 in Ref Dia 3c

In this variation, after black 3, ate [19], and white 4, black 5 causes a great loss for White. White has made a mistake involving the capture of 8 of his stones, so only 7 points.

0 points

Other moves for black 1, e.g. 2, sagari [11], all fail.