Improve Fast In Go

© Milton N. Bradley 2008



Chapter 2 Solution 1



  Solution 1 Assessments

a: Unimportant, although live, and takes a small corner territory, because it’s enclosed and therefore can’t influence subsequent play.
b: Very important when formed, because the wall projected its influence over the entire upper middle of the board Much less important now that the Black “d” stones have been played specifically to negate that influence.
c: Somewhat important because they prevent the “d” stones from making a base on the edge, but not very important because those same Black “d” stones effectively cut them off from the center.
d: Vitally Important! These stones prevent White from making a massive, winning territory between his two powerful (b and J) walls on either side!
e: Important because it helps capture W“f”, and thereby unites the B“g” and “h” units.
f: Important, as just noted.
g: Moderately important because they reach out toward the center and therefore potentially aid the vital but still unsettled B“d” stones.
h: Moderately important because they will almost certainly connect to the B “t” stones below to secure a large Black territory on the edge.
i: Almost worthless! If capturing this stone was the only way that Black could connect his “g” and “h” stones, it would be at least moderately important. But given that Black can also connect by capturing W”f” (which is already in atari!), the importance of W”I” sinks to just the 2 points that its capture would bring.
j: Fairly important, because they form a thick, powerful wall which casts its influence over the entire upper left middle! But not really important because that influence is already partially negated by the Black “d” group.
k: Valuable because it takes the corner territory, but unimportant because it’s enclosed and therefore can’t influence subsequent play!
l: Potentially important, because the possibility exists that this stone can be used to seal off the left side and then also capture B“m” to form a large White territory there.
m: Quite Important because the fate of this stone will probably determine whether or not White can make a big territory in this area.
n: Moderately important, partially because of the potential noted above, but mainly because of its potential for preventing Black from making a very large territory in the lower center.
o: Moderately Important because they coordinate well with the B “q” stones to form a nice territory in the lower left, with a threat to make more just above.
p: Unimportant because this stone is effectively captured. (But its presence paid off for White earlier, because the threat to connect it out allowed the W“n” stones to secure their eyespace.)
q: Moderately important because of their coordination with the B“o”group and the territory that provides, as well as the fact that they help seal off the W“s” stones from the center.
r: Unimportant. This was a Kikashi to induce White to connect. Once that was accomplished, it’s now worth only the 2 points its capture would bring the opponent.
s: Moderately important because they have some center access, so that they may be able to participate in later action there.
t: Moderately important because the large territory they enclose in conjunction with the B“h” stones may induce a White invasion, with subsequent fighting there. They will also almost certainly play a role in any later center fighting.


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