Pro Play

British Go Journal No. 15. Autumn 1971. Page 5a.

Takagawa, 9 dan

The study of professional games can teach us katachi and give us an insight into strategy and tactics at the highest level. In studying a professional game it is essential to think deeply about the moves, and this can best be achieved by trying to play a game from memory without looking at the recording - at first a difficult task.

Example:

Diagram 1

The diagram shows a position from a game between Fujisawa Hosai and Sugiuchi, both professional 9-dan. Looking at the board we see that Black has a large area of influence on the upper side, and that both players have weak groups on the left side. White's group, however, is weaker than Black's, because it is near the black thickness above. So, before any invasion, White must strengthen these stones, and the presence of the marked stone makes 1 the ideal move. After 5, White has ideal shape and a strong position in the centre, which he can use to launch a powerful invasion of the Black moyo above. Black has also been strengthened, of course, but the White shimari is far enough away not to be seriously weakened.

It all seems so simple, but most amateurs would rush into the moyo at once, leaving themselves with two weak groups to worry about. It is often necessary in Go to play a defensive move as a prelude to an aggressive attack or invasion.