Takapotku 2012, first return tournament
Now after my return from Japan, I've noticed that without a strict weekly rhythm, it's very difficult to get things (such as writing on the blog) done. Starting now, I'll experiment if I can build myself a weekly rhythm, even though I've neither university studies nor regular work to do during the summer. It's somewhat twisted, but I'm actually looking forward to autumn so that I can continue with my studies! The current plan is that I try to get my bachelor's degree done within a year, so that I could try to miraculously gather funds and return to Japan in next year's autumn.
Last weekend, I played in the first tournament after my return from Japan. The tournament was Takapotku open, conveniently (for me) timed for June instead of the usual February. Winning the tournament wasn't a goal; from the start, I participated solely to get a real game with Jeff (Su Yang 6 dan). It then resulted that I succeeded in beating Jeff, but "accidentally" lost to Juri. In the end, we took the top three places, exactly like last year.
In the following are some photos from the tournament, as well as a detailed commentary of my game with Jeff. Click on the photo to see it in slightly more detail. A few of the photos are slightly blurry; my hands are at fault for that. Also, the borders still seem to be cutting off some of the photo captions: I'll really try to work around that soon!
The main organizer, Janne Nikula, holding the opening ceremony
The first round commences: view in the top room
Since we are talking about Finland, there was of course a sauna and game evening after Saturday's games. It was late into the evening that I got back home — however, since we are talking about Finland, it's only this dark outside even in the middle of the night!
My main competitors, Jeff and Juri, playing their game, with Juho scribing in the background.
I couldn't help but include a close-up on a game situation!
Unfortunately, I missed out on getting a good photo of the prize giving ceremony — I'd forgotten to enable the flashlight before I passed the camera on, and all the pictures ended up blurry. If one of the readers happens to have a good photo of the ceremony they're willing to let me use, please contact me!
Finally, here's my game with Jeff. We had planned on this game almost a year in advance, and it was only suitable that we got to play it as a final, decisive game in the tournament. At the time of the game, Jeff had four wins and I three: if I won, the result of the tournament would be decided on a SOS (sum of opponents' scores) lottery. And quite the game it turned out, too!
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June 18th, 2012 - 16:03
Congrats for a really great game… I watched it “live” relayed on KGS and so many over there wondered about T4 (as T8 looked a bigger yose move). As you have made no comments on it and only the high dans said ‘ah, I see the purpose of T4′ and you didn’t press with C19 for a heavy ko on black… Would you mind some explaining? ^_^
BTW, I am not sure if this is because your opponent is Jeff or because of your insei days, but your style feels different now, when compared with your games a year ago on this very same blog…
Lastly, someone asked Mingjiu about your E6 move during the lecture just a couple of hours after the game finished… He said D10 was the move, and didn’t mention the A – B exchange of the upper left 5-3 joseki… Do you think it is a matter of “regional” style (pros from different countries) or just personal style?
Again, welcome back and keep ot up! ^_^
June 18th, 2012 - 16:49
Thanks!
As for t4 (in the KGS game relay, with inverted sides; a16 here), that was a slight mistake. A16 is worth some three points, but before that, white should get a12, as you remarked. After that, a16 is good. A18 in the game is yet another mistake; just b15 would be better. There is no ko at c19 that I can see.
It may be that a normal move on the left side in the opening is possible. I was told in Japan that e6 is good after black plays the f3 keima (instead of f4 in the game); possibly, since black played f4 in this game, leaving an opening at h3 for later, just defending the left side territory could be enough for white. Even then I’d rather pick d9 than d10, however. It may be a style question, but I definitely wouldn’t play d10 myself, as I dislike the gap at c7 after that.
June 20th, 2012 - 20:40
I would also play d9 not d10 if I play on the side, and it would seem very strange for Mingjiu to recommend d10 so I checked his demo, and he actually said d9 not d10
June 20th, 2012 - 10:24
I really like your game reviews.
Do you consider any European go player as your main rival?
June 25th, 2012 - 17:15
Thanks!
Of the European players, I only feel a kind of a rivalry with Ilya Shikshin, since we’ve played many times, but I get the feeling this rivalry is one-sided.
June 25th, 2012 - 18:21
Why not Ondrej Silt? Your egf gor almost matched in 2011. Now he is some 50 points ahead of you. Wouldn’t he be a great opponent to catch up in gor?
June 26th, 2012 - 07:51
Definitely so — I’ve been out of the European tournament scene for a while, so it may be that I just haven’t adjusted back yet.