(c) 2004 by Feng Yun

The Best Play
In-Depth Analyses of Dan-Level Amateur Games

Feng Yun 9 dan

Buy the full book at gobooks.com

Feng Yun is not only one of the strongest professional go players in the world; she is also an outstanding teacher with an unusual ability to effectively communicate high level analysis to amateur players. In this book she thoroughly examines two amateur games which provide an excellent vehicle for her teaching method. Studying this book will show you how a strong pro thinks about the game and start you in the direction of thinking that way yourself.

This book is based on a series of lectures presented by Feng Yun to the Hoboken Go Club in New Jersey in 2002–2003.

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About the Author

Feng Yun 9 dan

Feng Yun became a professional go player in China in 1979. She was the National Women’s Champion in China in 1983 and World Women’s Go Champion in 1995. In 1997 she was promoted to 9 dan. For a good many years afterward, there was only one other female 9 dan in the world. Feng Yun came to the USA in 2000 and soon established a go school in New Jersey that continues to flourish. She won the North American Ing Pro Cup in 2003, represented North America in the 2nd Toyota Denso Oza World Championship in 2004, and continues to be very active in the US go world where she has established a reputation as a popular and effective teacher and lecturer for players of all strengths.

Copyright Page

(c) 2004 Feng Yun

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.

Slate & Shell
1425 Westshire Lane
Richmond, VA 23238
www.slateandshell.com

Edited by William Cobb

Game analyses recorded by Larry Russ

Cover design by Laurie M. Crammond

Conversion to SmartGo Books by William Cobb

ISBN of print edition: 1–932001–09–3

Table of Contents

The Best Play: In-Depth Analyses of Dan-Level Amateur Games

About the Author

Copyright Page

Game 1

The chapters in gray are included only in the full book.

Game 2

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Game 1

Black and White are both rated at about amateur 3 or 4 dan AGA. This game was played on the Internet.

Moves 1–5

＞＜ ▶︎

This is the position after the initial moves. Black is aiming for the popular mini-Chinese opening. The more usual approach when playing this opening is to play as in Diagram 1 below. However, Black is not sure White will answer as in Diagram 1.

Diagram 1

＞＜ ▶︎

If White plays 2 this way (2 is sometimes at A), Black 3 creates the mini-Chinese opening pattern.

Diagram 2

＞＜ ▶︎

White may also play a pincer at 2 or an approach at A. Black plays as in the game to avoid the possibilities of Diagram 2, and, of course, after Black 5 in the game, Black can still hope to get in the approach move at the bottom left later.

Move 6

＞＜ ▶︎

White 6 is the biggest move. Approaching at A would let Black make thickness that works well with the bottom right position. See Diagrams 3 and 4.

Diagram 3

＞＜ ▶︎

Black would be very happy with this result.

Diagram 4

＞＜ ▶︎

This result would also be excellent for Black.

Move 6

＞＜ ▶︎

From which direction should Black approach White 6?

Move 7

＞＜ ▶︎

Black 7 is from the wrong direction. If Black wants to play in this area, at A would be better because Black will want to play later at B. This would be better for Black than 7 and B, which would make Black overconcentrated.

Diagram 5

＞＜ ▶︎

If Black approaches from the bottom as in Diagram 5, this would be good if Black could get both A and B, but since go is a game of taking turns, that is not going to happen. After Black plays A, White plays B, and Black will not have good shape on the right side. B would be an ideal point for Black, as it would have a very good relation with the other black stones in the area.

Diagram 6

＞＜ ▶︎

The correct direction for Black to approach on this side is at 1. The large knight’s move is usually played in this position because Black A would not put enough pressure on the white stone, and Black B would be too close to the white group after White settles.

Diagram 7

＞＜ ▶︎

If Black extends from the top as in Diagram 6 and White responds with this 2, what is Black’s next move?

Diagram 8

＞＜ ▶︎

This Black 3 shows why Black should approach from the top: Black can force White to help Black develop a large territorial potential in the bottom right. The next diagrams show why Black 3 is the correct direction: The best way to make territory is not passively but by attacking the opponent’s weak stones.

Diagram 9

＞＜ ▶︎

If White plays elsewhere instead of at White 4 in Diagram 9, Black will push at A and force White B. White cannot allow this.

Diagram 10

＞＜ ▶︎

If Black plays this 9 after Diagram 9, White will reduce at 10. Black 9 should be at A.

Diagram 11

＞＜ ▶︎

What if White plays 8 in Diagram 9 as this reducing move?

Diagram 12

＞＜ ▶︎

Black pushes up twice and then gets to make this very severe cutting move at 13.

Diagram 13

＞＜ ▶︎

Continuing from Diagram 12, White must play 14 and 16. After this, where should Black play?

Diagram 14

＞＜ ▶︎

Continuing from Diagram 13, after the Black 17–White 18 exchange, where should Black play?

Diagram 15

＞＜ ▶︎

This Black 19 is the right move.

Diagram 16

＞＜ ▶︎

If White now plays this way, Black will be happy. White gets sealed in and can just make life (five stones on the third line lives with the first move), but this is painful for White. Black can play at A to separate the two white groups.

Whole Sequence

＞＜ ▶︎

This concludes our mini-lesson on this opening pattern, which demonstrated the importance of direction of play and making territory while attacking.

Now back to the actual game, in which Black approached the white stone on the right side from the bottom.

Moves 8–9

＞＜ ▶︎

White 8 could also be at A; it is just a matter of style. Black 9 would usually be at B.

Where should White play to strengthen the two stones on the right side?