(
;
GM[1]
VW[]
FF[1]
DT[January 8, 1974]
SZ[19]
PB[Kato Masao]
PW[Sakata Eio]
C[ 21st Annual Nihon Kiin Championship, Title Match
 Played between Dec. 25, 1973 and Feb. 13,1974
 Sakata Eio, Nihon Kiin Champion v. Kato Masao 8 dan ]
GN[n732]
EV[21st Annual Nihon Kiin Championship, Title Match]
;
B[pd]
C[ Game 2
 
 W: Sakata \(S\)
 
 B: Kato \(K\)
 
 Played on Jan. 8-9, 1974 at the Nihon Kiin, Tokyo, Japan
 
 247 moves. B wins by resignation. Commentary based on Kato's in "Modern
 Stars", Volume 4 ]
;
W[dp]
C[ "Welcome! The Killer of Go!" Part 2
 
 For drama, few matches could equal this one: life and death battles, with
 "Killer Kato" relentlessly attacking the great Sakata, who was slippery as
 an eel at dodging fatal blows \(in Japanese, "shinogi", which became the
 nickname that go players still associate with Sakata\). This was also Kato's
 4th chance for a title and he was hungry for a win after failing the
 previous 3 times. ]
;
B[pp]
C[ There was also the aspect of a "generation gap" to this match: the 26 year
 old Kato was challenging the 53 year old Sakata, and in the early '70s, this
 was a combustible combination. Sakata represented the Old Guard, the
 custodian of a tradition that extended back to Meijin Shusai, the last
 hereditary Honinbo, and one of his teachers. Kato was a young firebrand, one
 of "the 3 crows of the Kitani dojo" that included Ishida & Takemiya. ]
;
W[dd]
C[ Needless to say, both players were also at the top of their form. In terms
 of fighting spirit, technique and artistry, this match was much anticipated.
 
 -- Bob Terry ]
;
B[pj]
C[ K often played the 3 star point opening \(sanrensei\) when holding B. ]
;
W[dj]
C[ But with W6 an unusual opening is starting to develop. ]
;
B[fq]
;
W[nc]
C[ Curiouser and curiouser... ]
;
B[pf]
;
W[dn]
C[ It is unusual for S to play "imitation go" \(mane go\), but he has eclectic
 tastes and can play just about anything when the spirit moves him. ]
;
B[jp]
;
W[jd]
;
B[pn]
;
W[df]
;
B[me]
;
W[go]
;
B[hp]
;
W[ld]
;
B[kf]

(
;
W[kn]
C[ K: W stops playing imitation go with W20, but if W continued with W "a"... ]
;
B[in]
C[ Fighting spirit dictates that B separate W with B21. ]
;
W[kp]
C[ W leans on B's position with W22 &... ]
;
B[kq]
;
W[lq]
C[ ...W24 and already hostilities have begun. ]
;
B[lp]
C[ The atari of B25 is a natural move. ]
;
W[ko]

(
;
B[lr]
C[ But since the ladder is in B's favor, B could connect at B "a" instead of
 playing B27.
 
 The atari of B27 &... ]
;
W[mq]
;
B[mp]
C[ ...pressing at B29 is the strongest way of playing. ]
(
;
W[mr]
C[ W30 is the only move. W "a" and W "b" are not good. ]
;
B[jr]
;
W[np]
;
B[mo]
C[ When B runs away with B33, B's shape is bad, but W's position is rather
 uncomfortable, I thought. ]
;
W[ls]
C[ Now is W's chance to atari at W34. Getting this one move in has great
 significance later. ]
(
;
B[kr]
C[ Instead of connecting at B35, B "a" was better.
 
 While I was playing, I didn't want to lose the attack on W's group and so I
 connected at B35, but playing this and... ]
;
W[op]

(
;
B[nn]
C[ ...B37 are moves that are working at cross-purposes. I was saved by S's
 oversight, but B37 was a lax move. It was better to play at B "a" in order
 to carry through with the purpose of B's marked stone. During play I read
 out this descending move, but I concluded that the order of moves was
 unimportant. In that case, I thought that playing the simplest way was best,
 but that was too easy-going a way of looking at the matter. ]
LB [kr]
;
W[pq]
;
B[qq]
C[ Blocking at B39 is the only move, as is... ]
;
W[qp]
C[ ...W's cut at W40. If W ataris the other way, at W "a", and after B40, plays
 W "b" out of greed, B ataris at B "c", and W's base has been taken away. ]
LB [po]
;
B[po]
;
W[qr]
;
B[rq]

(
;
W[or]
C[ The hanging connection of W44 was S's oversight. He took no time in playing
 it. Both S and I thought that W40 was the only move, but this was lax
 reading. W should play at W "a". It is terrible to end up with gote at this
 busy point in the middlegame. ]
;
B[jj]
C[ So I got to occupy the point of B45, and the game was going exactly the way
 I had envisioned. B could also play all out with a move at B "a", but I knew
 I had the advantage, so I played solidly. ]
LB [if]
;
W[im]
C[ W46 is a sharp move, typical of S. ]
(
;
B[jm]
C[ Instead of B47, B could draw back mildly to B "a" ]
;
W[on]
C[ What is one to make of W48? ]
;
B[om]
;
W[oo]
;
B[nm]
C[ The sequence through B51 leaves a cutting point at "a" that W can utilize in
 reducing the right side, but I was glad to build thickness in the center
 with B51. ]
LB [pm]
;
W[jl]
;
B[rr]
;
W[rs]

(
;
B[hm]
C[ B55 may be too pugnacious. It was sufficient to atari at B "a". ]
;
W[il]
;
B[hl]
;
W[ml]
C[ W58 is a ladder break for when W cuts at W "a". ]
LB [jn]
;
B[ro]
C[ \(At the very least, B should use B59 to attack W at B "a".\) ]
LB [nk]
;
W[jn]
;
B[hn]
;
W[mm]
C[ Through W62, W lives comfortably within B's territorial framework \(moyo\),
 which is a failure for B. ]
;
B[hc]
C[ Since B's attack has been stymied, I invaded at B63, but the game was going
 badly and I felt out of sorts. Yamabe Toshiro 9 dan suggested that if "B
 played B63 at B 'a', the game is an easy one for B." ]
LB [dr]
(
;
W[eq]
C[ The reason for Yamabe 9 dan's opinion was that W64 is a great point for W to
 occupy, but S said that "W64 is the losing move." B63 expands the field of
 battle, so there is not really a contradiction here. If W plays W64 at W
 "a"... ]
;
B[er]
C[ B deals with W's move by forcing once with B65, and then... ]
;
W[dr]
;
B[ob]
C[ ...attacks W's 3 stones with B67. W's group suddenly becomes thin. W's
 stones in the center are not completely alive yet either, so a two-pronged
 attack seems to be in the offing. ]
;
W[ie]
C[ In answer to W68... ]
;
B[ge]
C[ ...B attacks on a large scale with B69. ]
;
W[ic]
;
B[fc]
;
W[eb]
C[ W72 is a large move in terms of territory, so W cannot neglect to play it,
 but B plays at the vital point of W's upper side group at... ]
;
B[kc]
C[ ...B73, a severe move \(tesuji\). ]
(
;
W[kd]
C[ W74 does not secure life, but if W plays at W "a"... ]
;
B[ib]
C[ B75 undermines W's whole group. ]
(
;
W[jc]
C[ \(Regarding the counterattack of W76 at W "a"...\) ]
;
B[jb]
C[ Then, with B77 &... ]
;
W[kb]
;
B[gg]
C[ ...B79, B's superiority is becoming more and more clear. ]
;
W[mn]
C[ W has to play something to avoid being involved in a 2-pronged attack,
 but...]
;
B[no]

(
;
W[pm]
C[ ...W82 was a questionable move. W should play at W "a" instead.]
;
B[nk]
;
W[lj]
;
B[ok]
;
W[mi]
C[ Up to W86, W's move at W82 \(the marked stone\) becomes a wasted sacrifice,
 and since B is left with the option of playing at B "a", W is not clearly
 alive.]
LB [pm]
;
B[lb]
C[ B takes the eyes away from W's group here with B87 &...]
;
W[lc]
;
B[ka]
C[ ...B89, and a 2-pronged attack becomes more and more evident.]
;
W[hd]
;
B[gd]
;
W[hb]
;
B[gc]
;
W[qh]
C[ Regardless of W's thinness above and below, W invades at W94, an
 extraordinary move. Other players would not even consider such a move, and
 those who would consider it, would be too fearful to play it. S is prepared
 to hang tough to the nth degree. Of course, if all of the right side becomes
 B's territory, W is lost anyway, perhaps there is no other alternative.]
;
B[ph]
;
W[qg]
;
B[qf]
C[ B97 is a solid answer. B could connect at B "a", and when W slides to W "b",
 B takes the ko at B "c", and it seems that one of W's groups, above or
 below, will be captured, but there is a one in a million chance that B will
 blunder, which is a frightening possibility.]
LB [pg]
;
W[qd]
C[ W98 is the kind of incisive move one expects from S, and I took pains over
 the reply.]
(
;
B[oe]
C[ If B plays B99 at B "a"...
 
 B99 was a painstakingly thought out move.]
;
W[jf]
;
B[kg]
C[ B also hangs tough with B101 &...]
;
W[nf]
;
B[ne]
C[ ...B103. Here connecting at B "a" would be solid, but it's painful to
 abandon the attack.]
LB [pg]
;
W[pg]
C[ In answer to W104...]
(
;
B[oh]
C[ ...B cannot block at B "a".
 
 B extends to B105 &...]
;
W[og]
;
B[nh]
C[ ...B107, planning to attack all over the board.]
;
W[rf]
;
B[re]

(
;
W[mh]
C[ S said it was better to play W110 at W "a", since W110 merely provoked B to
 answer at B "b".
 
 \(Since S's suggested move at W "a" does not turn out well, W110 at W "b" is
 examined.\)
 
 The variations given here show that no matter how W plays, the position is a
 difficult one.]
;
B[rj]
;
W[qe]
C[ W112 is skillful technique \(tesuji\).]
(
;
B[rd]
C[ B113 is the only feasible response. If B cuts at B "a"...]
;
W[qc]
;
B[rc]
;
W[qb]
;
B[oc]
;
W[sg]
;
B[rb]
;
W[mf]
C[ W manages to connect somehow with W120...]
;
B[le]
C[ ...but the thinness of W's upper side is becoming greater and greater.
 Instead of W120 \(the marked stone\), S said that connecting with a move at W
 "a" would have been better, but then B takes the ko at B "b" and W is still
 in a difficult position.]
LB [mg]
;
W[ri]
C[ In answer to W122...]
;
B[qi]
C[ ...B123 is a solid response. Even if B plays elsewhere, there would not be
 any problems, but a W pincer attachment reduces B's territory severely, and
 after filling one of W's liberties with B123, B can cut at B "b". \(If W
 descends to W "c", B "d" is possible.\)]
LB [rk]
;
W[ij]
;
B[ii]
;
W[hk]
;
B[fr]
C[ B127 puts safety first, but B should have fearlessly played at B "a".]
LB [hi]
;
W[hi]
C[ In answer to W128...]
;
B[ig]
C[ ...B seals W in with B129.]
;
W[ih]
C[ When W plays W130...]
;
B[ji]
C[ ...B adds a stone at B131, increasing the sacrifice, but...]
;
W[jh]
;
B[jg]
C[ ...sealing W in completely with B133.]
;
W[kh]
;
B[kc]
C[ B intends to put an end to the matter by winning this ko. B has lots of ko
 material and W's difficulties are now made manifest. This represents the
 success of B's strategy of relentlessly pursuing W in a multi-pronged
 attack. B can end this ko with one move, while W will have to play 2 moves
 to win the ko.]
;
W[qm]
;
B[rp]
;
W[kb]
;
B[hh]
;
W[lg]
;
B[kc]
;
W[gh]
;
B[hg]
;
W[kb]
;
B[gi]
;
W[hj]
;
B[kc]
;
W[fp]
C[ Since B has some leeway in playing the ko, when W plays at W148...]
(
;
B[gp]
C[ ...B responds at B149, but B should have forced once at B "a"...]
;
W[kb]
;
B[ch]
C[ I had plenty of time left, so I read out the variations stemming from the ko
 completely. B has the luxury of getting in the move at B151.]
(
;
W[ia]
C[ W152 at last makes it a direct ko. Connecting at W "a" would not give W
 relief.]
;
B[kc]
;
W[pi]
;
B[oi]
;
W[kb]
;
B[nq]
;
W[oq]
;
B[kc]
;
W[sj]
;
B[sk]
;
W[kb]
;
B[ki]
;
W[lh]
;
B[kc]
;
W[si]
;
B[rk]
;
W[kb]
;
B[ps]
;
W[qs]
;
B[kc]
;
W[qn]
;
B[qo]
;
W[kb]
;
B[km]
;
W[kl]
;
B[kc]
;
W[nl]
;
B[ol]
;
W[kb]
;
B[ms]
;
W[ns]
;
B[kc]
C[ The ko drags on until, when B plays B183, W is left with no more ko threats.]
;
W[gq]
C[ When W plays W184...]
;
B[cq]
C[ ...B forces once with B185...]
;
W[dq]
;
B[gb]
C[ ...and then ending the ko with B187 is sufficient. From here on B plays the
 endgame solidly.]
;
W[gr]
;
B[fo]
;
W[ep]
;
B[hq]
;
W[hr]
;
B[ir]
;
W[es]
;
B[fn]
;
W[bf]
;
B[eh]
;
W[cj]
;
B[bi]
;
W[bj]
;
B[bg]
;
W[cf]
;
B[em]
;
W[dm]
;
B[rh]
;
W[sh]
;
B[hs]
;
W[fs]
;
B[se]
;
W[cg]
;
B[dh]
;
W[ee]
;
B[ec]
;
W[dc]
;
B[ek]
;
W[ej]
;
B[aj]
;
W[fh]
;
B[fg]
;
W[fi]
;
B[ef]
;
W[ag]
;
B[bh]
;
W[bk]
;
B[fk]
;
W[ff]
;
B[eg]
;
W[fe]
;
B[gf]
;
W[gj]
;
B[mk]
;
W[lk]
;
B[jo]
;
W[en]
;
B[fm]
;
W[gk]
;
B[gl]
;
W[mj]
;
B[ks]
;
W[ms]
;
B[fa]
;
W[ea]
;
B[db]
;
W[cb]
;
B[dl]
;
W[cl]
;
B[dk]
C[ 247 moves. B wins by resignation.
 
 At the end, B is ahead by a large margin.
 
 The "Escape Artist" \("Shinogi"\) Sakata Sensei had not been able to fend off
 my attack, which finally took its toll. This was an unforgettable game for
 me. At this point I had won 2 games in a row, and the best of 5 title was
 practically within my grasp...])

(
;
W[kc]
C[   Even if W connects at W1...]
;
B[mb]
;
W[ia]
;
B[gb]
;
W[ja]
;
B[he]
;
W[ga]
;
B[fa]
;
W[fb]
C[   ...the moves through W9 result in another ko. When analyzing the situation
   when W loses the ko fight, W152 in the game is shown to be the correct
   move.])
)

(
;
B[cq]
;
W[dq]
C[   ...and when W defends at W2...]
;
B[gb]
C[   ...B ends the ko with B3.]
;
W[gq]
C[   W attacks with W4, but through...]
;
B[gp]
;
W[gr]
;
B[fo]
;
W[ep]
;
B[hq]
;
W[hr]
;
B[ir]
;
W[es]
;
B[fn]
C[   ...B13, this B group lives easily.])
)

(
;
B[rg]
;
W[pc]
C[   ...W plays W2 through...]
;
B[oc]
;
W[pe]
;
B[of]
;
W[od]
C[   ...the capture at W6, exploiting the problems \(bad aji\) that B has with
   the position in the corner.]
;
B[nd]
;
W[rd]
;
B[sf]
;
W[pb]
C[   Up to W10, B has to fight a ko in the corner, which is unnerving.])
)

(
;
W[rh]
C[   S: "Playing at W 'a' and letting B defend at B 'b' was peculiar. W should
   play the hanging connection of W1, and when B..."]
LB [rj]
(
;
B[rd]
C[   "...defends against the cut..."
   
   \(I wouldn't play this way, though. If W makes the connection with the
   marked stone, I would play at B "a".\)]
LB [rh]
;
W[qm]
C[   "...W forces with W3..."]
;
B[rn]
;
W[qk]
C[   "...and makes profit through W5." But I wouldn't play that way.])

(
;
B[rj]
C[     I intended to protect the other side with B1.]
;
W[qe]
C[     Even if W cuts at W2...]
;
B[rd]
C[     ...B plays at B3, and then...]
;
W[qc]
;
B[rc]

(
;
W[rb]
C[     \(W6 at W "a" is another variation.\)]
;
B[qb]
C[     ...cuts with B7.]
;
W[pb]
;
B[qa]
C[     Sacrificing 2 stones here is a well-known technique \(tesuji\).]
;
W[pa]
;
B[pc]
;
W[ra]
C[     When W captures with W12...]
;
B[qb]
C[     ...B throws in at B13...]
;
W[qa]
;
B[pe]
C[     ...and W cannot connect in answer to B15.]
;
W[oc]
;
B[qb]
C[     W has to allow B to capture at B17. B's corner has been encrouched upon
     and W has connected with the upper side, but W has made a big sacrifice
     on the right side, and B's superiority is undiminished.])

(
;
W[qb]
C[       If W extends at W1 instead of playing the hane, up to...]
;
B[sf]
;
W[rg]
;
B[rb]
;
W[oc]
;
B[ra]
C[       ...B descending to B6, it looks like a race to capture \(semeai\)
       between this B group and W's on the right side, but B "a" is a sente
       move, threatening to cut at B "b", so speaking of a race to capture is
       meaningless.]
LB [of])
)
)

(
;
W[rj]
C[   After the game, we also looked at the possibility of W sliding to W1.]
;
B[rl]
C[   B plays B2.]
;
W[mh]
C[   At W3, B can respond with...]
;
B[ng]
C[   ...the move at B4, pushing into W's position.]
;
W[of]
;
B[rg]
;
W[mf]
C[   Even though W pushes out with W7...]
;
B[mg]
C[   B lets the 2 groups of stones to connect through...]
;
W[lf]
;
B[lg]
;
W[le]
C[   ...W11, and then B attacks the whole group with...]
;
B[kc]
C[   ...B12, playing the ko. B has ko material, starting with a move at B "a"
   which cannot be rivalled, so W's difficulties are apparent.
   
   \[This position shows graphically how he earned the nickname "Killer
   Kato"!\]]
LB [kk])
)

(
;
B[og]
C[   If B blocks at B1...]
;
W[oh]
;
B[pi]
;
W[rf]
;
B[re]
;
W[qe]
C[   ...W ends up cutting at W6.])
)

(
;
B[pg]
C[   ...connecting at B1, the moves to...]
;
W[pc]
;
B[oc]
;
W[od]
;
B[pe]
;
W[pb]
;
B[nd]
;
W[oa]
;
B[nb]
C[   ...B9 follow, and W has confused the situation.]
;
W[mb]
C[   With W10 &...]
;
B[mc]
;
W[la]
C[   ...W12, W lives in sente, then...]
;
B[na]
;
W[re]
C[   ...lives in the corner with W14 &...]
;
B[rf]
;
W[rb]
C[   ...W16; although W's 2 stones on the right side have been captured, this
   is scant compensation for B. The lead that B has enjoyed up to this point
   has vanished into thin air.])
)

(
;
W[nj]
C[   W should play at W1 &...]
;
B[ok]
;
W[kk]
C[   ...W3, clearly making life for these stones.])
)

(
;
W[jb]
;
B[jc]
;
W[id]
;
B[kb]
;
W[hb]
;
B[ja]
C[   ...B captures with B6. ]
;
W[gc]
C[   W7 allows... ]
;
B[fb]
C[   ...B to play for the variation with B8 &... ]
;
W[hd]
;
B[dc]
C[   ...B10. Next... ]
;
W[ec]
;
B[ed]
;
W[fd]
;
B[ee]
;
W[gb]
;
B[de]
C[   ...if the variation proceeds through B16, B is well off. ])
)

(
;
W[le]
;
B[lf]
;
W[ib]
;
B[if]
;
W[nb]
C[   The variation through W5 secures life for the group, but perhaps S dislike
   being sealed in with B's marked stone. ]
LB [if])
)

(
;
W[pb]
C[   ...slipping to W1 &... ]
;
B[qc]
;
W[ib]
C[   ...playing W3 settles W's group here, which is a priority. ])
)

(
;
B[il]

(
;
W[hm]
C[   \(Since the variation that proceeds from W2 is insufficient, W might play
   at W "a".\) ]
;
B[kl]
C[   B captures a stone with B3 &... ]
;
W[jn]
;
B[jk]
C[   ...B5 \(ponnuki\), which converts the center from a "framework" \[of
   potential territory\] into practically solid territory. ]
;
W[io]
;
B[dr]
C[   Then B slips in at B7. ])

(
;
W[ik]
C[     W plays atari in turn at W1, but... ]
;
B[hm]
C[     ...the B capture of one stone \(ponnuki\) at B2 is also unbearable. ]
;
W[jk]
C[     If W connects at W3... ]
;
B[hk]
C[     ...B can push vigorously at B4 and keep pushing. ])
)
)

(
;
B[hn]
;
W[ik]
;
B[kl]
C[   B builds a large territorial framework with B3... ]
;
W[jm]
;
B[dr]
C[   ...and then slips in to B5, making the game an easy one for B to play. ])
)

(
;
W[rr]
C[   Simply exchanging W1 for... ]
;
B[rp]
C[   ...B2 is sufficient to secure life for W's group. W can now play
   elsewhere. ]
W[tt]
C[   \(W PASSES\)
   
   The vital point to attack this W group is a move by B at... ]
;
B[nr]
C[   ...B4, but W has an exquisite move to save this group. \[Can you find it?\] ]
;
W[nq]
;
B[or]
;
W[ps]
C[   W7 is the exquisite move that makes this group alive. Now if B "a", W
   plays at W "b", B "c", W lives with W "d". If W plays W7 at W "a", B "c",
   W "d", B "e", W "f", then B plays at B7, creating a dead eye shape filled
   with 5 B's stones \(nakade\). Fujisawa Hosai 9 dan pointed out the move of
   W7. Both players missed it. ]
LB [sr])
)

(
;
B[pq]
C[   B1 is a strong descending move. ]
(
;
W[nn]
C[   S said that he would play W2 &...
   
   \(In response to B's descending move, W2 at W "a"...\) ]
;
B[mn]

(
;
W[or]
C[   ...defend with W4.
   
   \(From the standpoint of fighting spirit, one would like to play W "a"
   instead of W4, but...\) ]
;
B[mm]
C[   But B extends straight out with B5 and follows through with the moves up
   to... ]
;
W[on]
;
B[pm]
;
W[ol]
;
B[nl]
;
W[om]
;
B[qk]
;
W[ok]
;
B[mj]
;
W[oj]
;
B[mi]
C[   ...B15, attacking fiercely. No matter how skillful S is at rescuing
   endangered stones \(shinogi\), it's questionable whether these stones will
   live. ])

(
;
W[mm]
;
B[nq]
C[     ...B cuts at B2 &... ]
;
W[nr]
;
B[no]
C[     ...pushes through at B4. ]
;
W[oo]
;
B[on]
;
W[oq]
;
B[nm]
C[     It is unbearable to allow the capture at B8 \(ponnuki\). ]
;
W[po]
;
B[qo]
;
W[pr]
C[     Finally, B will ignore W11 to play at either B "a" or "b".
     Unquestionably, B is well off. ]
LB [jj])
)

(
;
W[mn]
C[     ...that is, W1, seems like a stylish technique \(tesuji\), but... ]
;
B[no]
;
W[oo]
;
B[nn]
;
W[on]
C[     ...even though W pushes through with W5 &... ]
;
B[nm]

(
;
W[po]
C[     ...W7, B has a good move at...
     
     \(If W plays at W "a" instead of W7...\)
     
     \(If W plays at W "b" instead of W7...\) ]
;
B[or]
C[     ...B8, poking at the cutting point. The cut with B "a" and the block at
     B "b" are equivalent options \(miai\), and B is good. B can also play B8
     blocking at B "c", and if W "d", B "e", W "f", B lives in the corner
     with B8. ]
LB [qo])

(
;
W[om]
;
B[nq]
C[       ...B cuts at B2, capturing W's essential stones. ]
;
W[oq]
;
B[nr]
;
W[or]
;
B[ms]
;
W[pr]
C[       Even though the corner suffers when W plays at W7... ]
;
B[rq]
C[       ...B lives easily by jumping to B8. ]
;
W[po]
;
B[qo]
;
W[qn]
;
B[ro]
C[       Of course, if B plays poorly, W will get an attack, but here B is
       fine. ])

(
;
W[or]
C[       During the analysis after the game, we decided that W1 here was the
       best move. ]
;
B[om]
C[       If B blocks at B2... ]
;
W[po]
;
B[qo]
;
W[qn]
;
B[pm]
;
W[qp]
;
B[ro]
;
W[qq]
;
B[rq]
;
W[qr]
C[       ...the moves to W11 are forced. ]
;
B[if]
C[       Then B takes sente to play at B12, and this seems natural. In any
       event, in none of these variations that follow B's descending move in
       the corner, does B come out badly. ])
)
)
)

(
;
B[no]
C[   It was best to block with B1, adopting a clear-cut strategy. ]
;
W[kr]
;
B[jq]
;
W[op]
;
B[oo]
;
W[pq]
;
B[qq]
;
W[qp]
;
B[po]
;
W[or]
;
B[pr]
;
W[oq]
;
B[jj]
C[   Up to B13 it's obvious that B is better. ])
)

(
;
W[kr]
C[   If W captures with W1 &... ]
;
B[jq]
;
W[mr]
C[   ...W3... ]
;
B[np]
;
W[or]
;
B[il]
C[   ...B swallows up W's 3 stones on a large scale with B6, which is beneath
   consideration. ])

(
;
W[jq]
C[   Cutting with W1 here is a strong measure, but... ]
;
B[kr]
;
W[ip]
;
B[jo]
;
W[jr]
;
B[nq]
;
W[hq]
;
B[io]
;
W[gp]
;
B[iq]
;
W[ir]
;
B[gq]
C[   ...it doesn't turn out well after B12. Even if B's 2 stones to the left
   are captured, B will take a huge center. ])
)

(
;
B[jq]
C[   I thought of playing B1. ]
;
W[mp]
C[   However, even though the ladder is unfavorable, W can pursue it with W2. ]
(
;
B[lo]
C[   \(Playing at B "a" instead of B3 also did not appeal to me.\) ]
;
W[po]
C[   The wedge at W4 is a famous technique \(tesuji\). ]
;
B[oo]
C[   If B ataris at B5... ]
;
W[ln]
C[   ...W continues with the ladder with W6 &... ]
;
B[mo]
;
W[no]
C[   ...W8, and then ataris... ]
;
B[mn]
;
W[on]
C[   ...at W10. ]
;
B[mm]
C[   B extends straight into the center with B11. ]
;
W[op]
;
B[qo]
;
W[pq]
;
B[oo]
;
W[qq]
C[   Play continues to W16, and this is not unplayable for B, but since this is
   too obvious a strategy for W, I didn't feel like allowing it. ])

(
;
B[lr]
C[     If B ataris at B1... ]
;
W[lo]
C[     ...W captures with W2... ]
;
B[mr]
C[     ...and even though B3 aims at attacking the whole W group, B has a low
     position that makes this line unattractive. ])
)
)

(
;
W[in]
C[   ...the imitation go continues. ]
;
B[kn]
C[   After B2 &... ]
;
W[if]
C[   ...W3, I intended to continue by playing at... ]
;
B[jj]
C[   ...B4. ]
;
W[jm]
C[   However, if B gets forced \(kikashi\) with W5 through... ]
;
B[km]
;
W[jl]
;
B[kl]
;
W[jg]
C[   ...W9, then after both sides encircle territory through... ]
(
;
B[kg]
;
W[jh]
;
B[kh]
;
W[ji]
;
B[ki]
;
W[ij]
C[   ...W15, then even without considering the komi, B is lost.
   
   Therefore, back at move B10 in this variation, B will play at B "a". ])

(
;
B[jk]
C[     Answering W's triangle stone will result in B being forced \(kikashi\), so
     B butts up against W's position with B1, a thick move that turns W
     square stones into bad moves. ]
LB [jg]
;
W[kg]
C[     If W plays W2 to disrupt B's territory, tit for tat, even a simple
     invasion at B "a" will utilize B's thickness in the center. When coming
     up with a strategy to deal with imitation go, this is the kind of thing
     one considers. ]
LB [dl])
)
)