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3 <!-- Mirrored from users.eniinternet.com/bradleym/Ch4.html by HTTrack Website Copier/3.x [XR&CO'2014], Sun, 06 Nov 2022 06:56:40 GMT -->
4 <head>
5 <title> Improve fast In Go - Milton N. Bradley </title>
6 <link rel="stylesheet" href="style2.css">
7 </head>
8 <body bgcolor="#E0FFFF">
9 <a name="top">
10
11 <center><br><br>
12 <font class="booktitle">
13 Improve <I>Fast</I> In Go
14 </font>
15 <br><br>
16
17 <h1>
18 <font class="chaptitle">
19 &copy; Milton N. Bradley 2008
20 </font>
21 <hr></h1></center>
22 <br><br>
23
24
25 <center><a name="Chapter4">
26 <font class="chaptitle">
27 Chapter 4 - Peeps and Cuts
28 </font><br>
29
30 </center>
31 <font size= +1>
32 <br><br><br>
33
34 Peeps and cuts are among the most common mechanisms by which weak stones arise.<br><br>
35 <strong>The primary differences between a peep and a cut are:<br><br>
36 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- A peep’s value is often almost fully realized at the moment it succeeds in forcing the opponent’s connection</strong>, so that in many cases it may then profitably be (at least temporarily) “abandoned”, to thereafter serve primarily as Aji.<br><br>
37 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>- Most cuts result in the formation of a new (often weak) group, which thereafter must be watched and defended.</strong><br><br>
38 Although there is no single simplistic “rule of thumb” that can provide unerring guidance in deciding whether it’s best to cut or peep in any given position, in general, and <I>considering only the local situation</I>:
39
40
41 <center>
42
43 <br><table class="txtbox">
44 <tr>
45 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
46 <td align="middle" valign="top">
47 <br>
48 <font class="txtboxbig">DON’T PEEP<br><br>
49 IF A CUT SUCCEEDS<br>
50 </font>
51
52 <br>
53 </td>
54 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
55 </tr>
56 </table>
57 </center>
58 <br><br>
59
60 The problem confronting the double digit Kyu player is that (s)he’s typically uncertain of whether or not any given cut should succeed ! And considering that their own play is probably going to be less than perfect,
61 in games in which the main objective is learning and improvement rather than just victory, the best strategy is to cut, and then learn from experience both how to correctly appraise that decision in advance and how to
62 conduct the resulting fight once you’re embroiled in it.<br><br><br>
63
64 <strong>Peeps</strong>
65 <br><br>
66 <table>
67 <tr>
68 <br>
69 <td align="left" valign="top">
70 <img src="C4D1.jpg" border="1">
71
72 </td>
73
74 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
75 <td align="left" valign="top">
76 <img src="C4D2.jpg" border="1">
77
78 </td>
79
80 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
81 <td align="left" valign="top">
82 <img src="C4D3.jpg" border="1">
83
84 </td>
85
86 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
87 <td valign="top" align="left">
88 <br><br><br>
89 <b><strong>Dia 1</strong></b> In this variation of a popular 3-4 point Joseki, Black plays for thickness while conceding the corner territory to White.<br><br>
90 <b><strong>Dia 2</strong></b> After the atari of B10, W11 connects, and then B12 makes a double “Tiger’s Mouth” virtual connection.<br><br>
91
92
93 </td>
94 </tr>
95 </table>
96 <br><br>
97 <b><strong>Dia 3</strong></b> Next, the peep of W13 is a Kikashi which is answered by the connection of B14, and this is followed by the similar W15 peep, B16 connection exchange.<br><br>
98 After this, the White corner has the miai of “a” and “b” for its life so it’s safe! And, in the absence of other nearby friendly stones to help, there is no reasonable attack that White can currently expect to successfully mount against Black’s solid enclosing wall.<br><br>
99 So local action often ends for the moment, leaving this situation as is until later events make it clear what each side needs to do next locally.<br><br>
100
101 <br>
102 IMPORTANT! Just because a peep has been played (and answered), it distinctly does not imply that direct use must be made of that peep stone either immediately or ever! That may in fact occur, but at least as often a peep stone will be used indirectly to attain some other
103 desirable goal (most often as a ladder breaker), or may even simply be temporarily “abandoned”as Aji, for possible later use.<br><br>
104 With that in mind, let’s now look again at the situation of Dia 3 and appraise the implications generated by the two peeps of W13 and 15 and their forced responses.<br><br>
105 The first thing that we notice is that W13 is a completely isolated lone stone pressed against a solid Black position, and W15 is only a bit stronger because of its assist from W3. So both of these peep stones are, by definition, more or less weak!<br><br>
106 In response to these peeps, we see that Black has not only been forced to add two stones of his own, but also has been forced into a position which, although thick, not only has absolutely no shape, but is also already partially enclosed and inhibited from expanding readily.<br><br>
107 The overall assessment of the position in Dia 3 is therefore:<br><br>
108
109 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- On balance, Black is clearly the stronger on the outside.<br><br>
110 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- If White correctly views W13 and 15 as expendable potential sacrifices rather than as essential assets which must be maintained even at cost, for the moment White stands at least equal overall because of their presence.<br><br>
111
112 Whether this Joseki integrates better into the global strategy of one side or the other depends on the position on the remainder of the board and is an issue beyond our present focus, so it will not be discussed here.<br><br>
113
114 <br><br>
115
116 <table>
117 <tr>
118 <td align="left" valign="top">
119
120 <img src="C4F1.jpg" border="1">
121
122 </td>
123
124 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
125 <td valign="top" align="left">
126 <br><br><br><br>
127 <strong>Figure 1</strong> In this early middle game between two 4D players, the key issue at the moment is the fight in the upper right that has just begun between the enclosed and still unsettled B47-55 group and the enclosing W10-54 stones, which are still
128 lacking shape and which therefore must be strengthened before he can safely attack Black.<br><br>
129 The solution to this dilemma that White conjured up was W56, peeping into the cutting point at “a” in Black’s lower right group. Because the B1- 43 stones would be forced into a dangerous (and quite possibly disastrous) fight if cut off, that gave Black essentially
130 no choice but to connect at “a”.<br><br>
131
132 Having thus helped stabilize his own weak stones in Sente, White was then able to turn his attention back to the desired attack on the weak Black group in the upper right corner. So in this position the peep was the perfect move!<br><br>
133
134 </td>
135 </tr>
136 </table>
137 <br><br>
138
139 <strong>Cuts</strong><br><br>
140
141 <center>
142
143 <br><table class="txtbox">
144 <tr>
145 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
146 <td align="middle" valign="top">
147 <br>
148 <font class="txtboxsmall">The Typical Intention Of A Cut<br><br>
149 Is To Permanently Separate<br><br> A Group Of Opposing Stones<br><br>
150
151 </font>
152 <br>
153 </td>
154 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
155 </tr>
156 </table>
157 </center>
158 <br><br>
159
160 and that almost invariably means that the cutting stone(s) will subsequently have to be reinforced/supported as required.<br><br>
161 <strong><I>A cut therefore typically initiates an important long term commitment.</I></strong><br><br>
162
163
164 <table>
165 <tr>
166 <td align="left" valign="top">
167 <img src="C4D4.jpg" border="1">
168
169 </td>
170
171 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
172
173 <td valign="top" align="left">
174 <br><br><br><br>
175 <strong>Diagram 4</strong> In this position from a game between a 9D and a 7D, the hane of B1 is a typical continuation of the Joseki in the corner.<br><br>
176 After the exchange of W2, B3, the necessary continuation thru B7 resulted in the creation of a weak Black group, in return for which White’s thickness has been effectively neutralized.<br><br>
177 Whether or not this turns out to have been good strategy by Black will depend on the followup by both sides.<br><br>
178
179
180 </td>
181
182 </tr>
183 </table>
184 <br><br>
185
186
187 <center>
188 <br><table class="txtbox">
189 <tr>
190 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
191 <td align="middle" valign="top">
192
193 <br>
194 <font class="txtboxsmall">Cuts Are Also Commonly Used<nr><br> To Make Shape Or To Facilitate Escape<br>
195 </font>
196 <br>
197 </td>
198 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
199 </tr>
200
201 </table>
202 </center>
203 <br><br>
204
205
206
207 <table>
208 <tr>
209 <td align="left" valign="top">
210 <img src="C4D5.jpg" border="1">
211
212
213 </td>
214
215 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
216 <td valign="top" align="left">
217 <br><br><br><br>
218 <strong>Diagram 5</strong> The cut of B8 followed by the forced sequence thru B12 sets up the capture of the marked White stone, resulting in White’s superb thickness in return for Black’s securing a large corner.<br><br>
219 Now let’s look at a position in a game between two 5 D’s in which making a judicious cut was the best way for a nearly trapped group to escape.<br><br>
220
221 </td>
222 </tr>
223 </table>
224 <br><br>
225
226 <table>
227 <tr>
228 <td align="left" valign="top">
229 <img src="C4D6.jpg" border="1">
230
231
232 </td>
233
234 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
235 <td valign="top" align="left">
236
237 </td>
238 </tr>
239 </table>
240 <br><br>
241
242
243 <table>
244 <tr>
245 <td align="left" valign="top">
246 <img src="C4D7.jpg" border="1">
247
248 </td>
249
250 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
251 <td valign="top" align="left">
252 <br><br>
253
254 <strong>Diagram 7</strong> Cutting with W1 is the way to begin.! That makes W3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 all forcing moves, sacrificing 2 stones (W1 and 5), and then moving smoothly out with W13., and leaving behind the
255 potential for an almost certain eye at the top. Beginning instead with either W3 or W7 would allow either the connection of B1 or the extension of B10, and then White will have to flee eyeless!<br><br>
256 The outcome of a cut will frequently not only be decisive (as in these examples), but sometimes unpredictable, at least among players at less than a very high level, with the result that:<br><br>
257
258 </td>
259 </tr>
260 </table>
261 <br><br>
262
263 <center>
264 <br><table class="txtbox">
265 <tr>
266 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
267 <td align="middle" valign="top">
268 <br>
269 <font class="txtboxsmall">Making A Judicious Cut<br><br>
270 Is Often The Most Powerful Way To Play,<br><br>
271
272 And Sometimes<br><br>
273 The Only Possible Route To Victory<br><br>
274 </font>
275 <br>
276 </td>
277 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
278 </tr>
279 </table>
280
281 </center>
282 <br><br>
283
284 But
285
286 <center>
287 <br><table class="txtbox">
288 <tr>
289 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
290 <td align="middle" valign="top">
291 <br>
292
293 <font class="txtboxsmall">Cutting Can Be<br><br>Fraught With Danger<br><br>
294 </font>
295 <br>
296 </td>
297 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
298 </tr>
299 </table>
300 </center>
301
302 <br><br>
303 <table>
304 <tr>
305 <td align="left" valign="top">
306 <img src="C4D8.jpg" border="1">
307
308 </td>
309
310 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
311 <td valign="top" align="left">
312
313 <br><br><br><br><br>
314 <strong>Diagram 8</strong> This is a not uncommon position, especially in high handicap games.<br><br>
315 At first glance, it appears that a White cut at “a” will be big, so that it’s necessary for Black to protect against it. But that’s only an illusion!<br><br>
316 On deeper analysis, it becomes apparent that a White cut at “a”is actually infeasible!<br><br>
317
318
319
320 </td>
321
322 </tr>
323 </table>
324 <br><br>
325
326 <table>
327 <tr>
328 <td align="left" valign="top">
329 <img src="C4D9.jpg" border="1">
330
331 </td>
332
333 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
334 <td align="left" valign="top">
335 <img src="C4D10.jpg" border="1">
336
337 </td>
338
339
340 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
341 <td valign="top" align="left">
342 <br><br><br><br>
343
344 <b><strong>Dia 9</strong></b> If W1 cuts, expecting (or hoping for) this submissive B4 in response to W3, he may be in for a big surprise because ...<br><br>
345 <b><strong>Dia 10</strong></b> After this B4 instead, if White foolishly continues as shown here, Black has this forcing sequence (a “squeeze”) with which to ruin White’s shape. Then ...<br><br>
346
347 </td>
348 </tr>
349 </table>
350 <br><br>
351 <table>
352
353 <tr>
354 <td align="left" valign="top">
355 <img src="C4D11.jpg" border="1">
356
357 </td>
358
359 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
360 <td valign="top" align="left">
361 <br><br><br><br>
362 <strong>Diagram 11</strong> After the atari of B10 forces the connection of W11 (with simply awful shape), the exchange of W13 for B14 is necessary to allow W15 to be an atari, which then forces B16
363 and gives White time for W17 to move out.<br><br>
364
365 This diagram shows one continuation after the plausible diagonal move of W17. Unfortunately for White, it fails. But there are lots of chances for Black to go wrong in the resulting fight, so White
366 may well live instead if Black plays weakly. <br><br>
367
368 </td>
369 </tr>
370 </table>
371 <br><br>
372
373 White’s problem is that even if he escapes after W15, the outside strength that Black will build up while attacking his ever growing weak group should doom his overall game prospects! On the other hand, if Black isn’t a particularly
374 strong fighter, or if this sequence is used by White as ko Aji, it might still be very dangerous for Black.<br><br>
375 So on balance, unless White is a particularly strong fighter or believes that Black is an especially weak one, W1 at “b” in Dia 9 instead of the cut is objectively the better way for White to play. The problem is that in most global
376 situations that move won’t be Sente, so it must be timed correctly!<br><br>
377
378 <strong>Cuts And Ladders</strong><br><br>
379 Cuts frequently give rise to a ladder. In those cases, wherever feasible the “rule” is<br><br>
380
381 <center>
382 <br><table class="txtbox">
383 <tr>
384 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
385 <td align="middle" valign="top">
386
387 <br>
388 <font class="txtboxbig">Capture Any Cutting Stone(s)<br><br>
389 As Soon As Possible<br>
390 </font>
391 <br>
392 </td>
393 <td width="30">&nbsp;</td>
394 </tr>
395
396 </table>
397 </center>
398 <br><br>
399
400 <table>
401 <tr>
402 <td align="left" valign="top">
403 <img src="C4D12.jpg" border="1">
404
405 </td>
406
407 <td width="10">&nbsp;</td>
408 <td valign="top" align="left">
409 <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
410 <strong>Diagram 12</strong> When B1 ataris the marked White cutting stone, it sets up a ladder which favors Black because it runs into the Black stones in the lower right corner.<br><br>
411 Then W2 is a ladder breaker! But instead of playing the natural appearing B“a”, which would reinstate the ladder, Black’s best response is to immediately capture the White stone with B3,
412 removing its dangerous Aji, perfecting his thickness, and thereby strengthening his now nearly complete moyo on the upper side.<br><br>
413 That this allows the excellent W4 is regrettable, but unavoidable.<br><br>
414
415 </td>
416 </tr>
417 </table>
418 <br><br>
419
420
421 <br><br>
422 <strong>Click Here To Go To</strong><a href="Ch4P.html"><font size=+1><font Color="#0033FF"><strong> Chapter 4 Problems </strong></font></a>
423 <br><br>
424
425 <strong>Click Here To Move On To</strong><a href="Ch5.html"><font size=+1><font Color="#0033FF"><strong> Chapter 5</strong></font></a>
426 <br><br>
427 <strong>Click Here To Return To</strong><a href="Improve%20Fast%20Index.html"><font size=+1><font Color="#0033FF"><strong> Table Of Contents </strong></font></a>
428 <br><br>
429 <strong>Click Here To Return To</strong><a href="index.html"><font size=+1><font Color="#0033FF"><strong> Milt's Go Page</strong></font></a>
430 <br><br>
431 <strong>Click Here To Email Your Comments/Suggestions To</strong><font size=+2><font color="#0033FF"><a href="mailto:bradleym@eniinternet.com?subject=Improve Fast Comments/Suggestions"> Milton N. Bradley</font></a>
432
433
434
435 <br><br><br><br>
436 </td>
437 <td width="100">&nbsp;</td>
438 </tr>
439 </table>
440 </body>
441
442 <!-- Mirrored from users.eniinternet.com/bradleym/Ch4.html by HTTrack Website Copier/3.x [XR&CO'2014], Sun, 06 Nov 2022 06:57:08 GMT -->
443 </html>