(;
GM[1]FF[4]VW[]AP[Many Faces of Go:11.0]
SZ[19]
HA[0]
ST[0]
PB[Yu Bin]
PW[Cho U]
DT[2005-04-20]
PC[Seoul, Korea]
KM[6.5]
TM[10800.0]
RE[W+ 2.5]
SO[Go World #105, Autumn 2005]
AN[Commentary by Cho U 9P]
US[SGF file created by Bill Cobb and Chris Garlock]
EV[9th LG Cup Finals]
BR[9P]
WR[9P]
RO[Game 4]
WT[Japan]
BT[China]
C[9th LG Cup Finals, Game 4
April 20, 2005
White: Cho U 9P
Black: Yu Bin 9P
Commenter: Cho U 9P
Reporter: Kawakuma Hiroyuki
Translated by John Power from the June 2005 issue of Monthly \
Go World.
SGF file created by Bill Cobb and Chris Garlock
Taken from Go World #105, Autumn 2005, by permission.

Go World is the quarterly English language go magazine that covers \
pro news and includes many commented games as well as additional \
instructional material. It is available from www.kiseido.com \
.

The LG Cup is one of the major international tournaments. It \
has been won twice by the Japanese (O Rissei 9P and now Cho U \
9P), once by the Chinese (Yu Bin 9P), and six times by the Koreans \
(four times by Lee Changho 9P, once by Lee Sedol 9P, and once \
by Yoo Changhyeok 9P). The finals is a best-of-five match, and \
at the start of this game Cho was ahead 2-1, Yu having won the \
first game. This is Cho's first win of an international title.

This game is full of tricky fighting. Cho builds up a lead in \
the opening, but in the middle game he gets into bad trouble \
and becomes "resigned to losing".]
;B[qd];W[pp]
C[For once Cho plays peacefully with White 2, not making his trademark \
immediate approach move at X (P16). Presumably Yu Bin would have \
worked out a counterstrategy for that, so White 2 avoids letting \
him use the fruits of his research.]
LB[od:X]
;B[dd];W[cp];B[nq];W[lp]
C[The high one space pincer of White 6 has been a popular joseki \
recently.]
;B[no];W[pn]
;B[pr];W[qq];B[lr];W[mo]
C[Cho explains the thinking behind White 12 in the variation for \
Black 17.]
;B[nn];W[qk];B[eq];W[od]
(;B[md]
C[Black 17: See the first variation.]
;W[kc]
C[White 18: White considers an exchange of White X (P14) for Black \
Y (R14) as lacking in subtlety. Cho treats 16 as a light stone; \
he will wait to see what Yu does before deciding what to do with \
it.]
LB[qf:Y][of:X]
;B[op]
C[Black 19: Cho: "At this point Black added a move at 19, but White \
20 [at X (D5)\] was a good point. In view of this, Black could \
have considered playing as in the second variation for 17, which \
see."]
LB[do:X]
;W[do]
(;B[qi]
C[Black 21 is a special plan on Yu's part. As will be seen later, \
it aims at gouging out White's side position with an attachment \
at X (R8) [move 35\]. See the variation.]
LB[ql:X]
;W[of];B[qf];W[qc]
C[White 22 and 24: Since Black hasn't played in the top right, \
White sets his stone in motion with 22 and 24. This forces Black \
to answer at 23, so in a sense he gets a low, overconcentrated \
position with the marked stone.]
TR[qi]
;B[rc];W[pd];B[qb];W[pc];B[re]
;W[rb];B[pb]
C[Black 31: Cho: "Black could play 31 at X (R8) now [It's move \
35\]. If Black omits the coming exchange through White 34, he \
would leave open the option of playing at Y (M15). See the variation \
for Black 35 to see why Yu can't do anything with the marked \
stone in the game."]
LB[le:Y][ql:X]
TR[md]
;W[ob];B[ra];W[ld]
C[White 34 works perfectly in this situation.]

(;B[ql]
C[Black 35: See the variation.

Black 35 is not only a move gouging out White's territory. It \
creates a forcing move at X (P7) for later. In a sense, Black \
is investing in the bottom area, which makes White 42 at Y (F4) \
bigger than it would otherwise be.]
LB[fp:Y][om:X]
;W[pl];B[rk];W[qm];B[rl];W[cf]
C[White 40 is a forcing move.]
;B[fc];W[fp];B[ci]
;W[ck]
C[White 44, denying Black the chance to extend to X (C8) is an \
essential move.

White looks thick and he's not behind on territory either. Cho \
commented: "It's a leisurely game. Up to this point, White has \
no reason for dissatisfaction."]
LB[cl:X]
;B[gq];W[cd]
C[White 46: Cho: "At this point, the move I wanted to play was \
pushing along at X (G4) [White 58\]. I thought playing the sequence \
starting with 46 first was a plus for White."

If White plays X now, there's a possibility that, depending on \
how the game develops, Black might get the jump on White and \
descend at 46. In a broad sense the moves from White 46 to White \
56 are forcing moves. Note, too, that the top left white group \
is not as weak as one might thing.]
LB[gp:X]
;B[cc];W[bc];B[ce];W[bd];B[de];W[be];B[cb]
;W[df];B[bg];W[bf];B[ei];W[gp];B[hq];W[hp]
(;B[ip]
C[Black 61: See the variation.]
;W[fq];B[fr];W[iq]
(;B[dr]
C[Black 65: See the variation.]
;W[ir];B[hr];W[hs];B[gr]
(;W[jp];B[io];W[kr]
C[White 70 and 72: Cho: "White 70 and 72 may appear a little crude, \
but I believed I should play like this. See the variation for \
White 70."]
;B[ep];W[eo];B[cq];W[bq];B[br];W[dp]
;B[dq];W[gn];B[lq];W[kq];B[qr];W[rm];B[om];W[pk];B[rj]
C[Black 87 is correct. If it were at X (R10), . . . See the comment \
at Black 91.]
;W[pm]
;B[rq];W[rp];B[sr]
C[Black 91: If Black 87 (marked) had been at X (R10), then after \
91, White Y (T8) would be sente, so White could secure independent \
life with Z (R5).]
LB[qo:Z][sl:Y][qj:X]
TR[rj]
;W[nk]
C[The game already appears favorable for White, but now Black makes \
a mistake.]

(;B[jo]
C[Black 93, which prepares to move out into the center while waiting \
for a chance to attack White, appears natural, but it is dubious.

Cho: "When White gets to jump out to X (E9) with move 98, it \
is big. When White plays there, the game clearly becomes good \
for him. That means that instead of 93, the most urgent move \
for Black is jumping sideways at X. See the variation."]
LB[ek:X]
;W[ko];B[jm];W[ll];B[jk];W[ek]
C[Switching to 98 after playing only one move at 96 was shrewd. \
Of course, Cho had to read out how to deal with Black's sharp \
attack at X (N8) with 99. White's extending at Y (L6) is sente, \
since it threatens to capture three black stones, so Black has \
no way of both cutting White off and denying him two eyes--that's \
what Cho concluded.]
LB[kn:Y][ml:X]
;B[ml];W[mk];B[lm]
;W[mm]
(;B[kl]
C[Black 103: See the variation.

Black has little choice but to force with 103, though this could \
not be more painful.]
;W[nl];B[fk];W[fl];B[gk];W[ej];B[fi];W[hc]
C[When White switches to 110, he has the lead.]
;B[gl]
;W[mq]
C[With Black 111 in place, White loses the forcing move at X (L6), \
so he reinforces with 112 and 114.]
LB[kn:X]
;B[mr];W[mp]
C[White 112 and 114 set up the forcing move at X (O4) to save the \
group, which, needless to say, is more efficient than linking \
up on Y (N6).]
LB[mn:Y][np:X]
;B[fe];W[bb]
C[White 116: Locally, the white group is already alive. If White \
descends at X (B19), he has two eyes; if Black hanes at X, White \
captures a stone with Y (D12), Black Z (D11), White W (B12).]
LB[bh:W][di:Z][dh:Y][ba:X]
;B[id];W[ic];B[jd];W[jc];B[ba]
;W[ff];B[ge];W[gf];B[hf];W[hg];B[ef];W[eg];B[ee];W[bh];B[ch]
;W[cg];B[bi]
(;W[he]
C[Cho: "At this point I thought that I could win on the board, \
but everything starts to go wrong after the cut of 134. See the \
variation."]
;B[if];W[gg];B[ig]
C[Black 137 is a strong move--White expected Black to capture a \
stone with X (H16). Cho made another miscalculation.]
LB[hd:X]
;W[ih];B[hh];W[gh];B[hi];W[hd]
;B[fg];W[fh];B[eh];W[dg];B[gi];W[fg]
(;B[le]
C[Black 149 is another good move. See the variation.]
;W[ag]
C[White has to live with 150.]
;B[gb]
C[When Black takes territory with 151, he has upset White's lead. \
Yu Bin's moves are all hitting the spot now.]
;W[hb];B[ga];W[jh];B[kg];W[kh];B[mg]
;W[lh];B[nc];W[me];B[ne];W[nd]
C[White 160 and 162 are the only moves, but . . .]
;B[mc]
C[. . . the squeeze following Black 163 feels good.]
;W[mf];B[nf];W[lf];B[lg]
;W[ke];B[kf];W[le];B[ng];W[oc];B[oe]
C[Black 173 and 175 are also sente.]
;W[pe];B[pf]
C[Cho: "At this point, Black looks like winning by ten points on \
the board if he plays the endgame conservatively. I had given \
up hope--so it's going to go to Game Five, I thought. Even so, \
I resolved to fight my hardest right to the end. And a chance \
came surprisingly fast."]
;W[mb];B[np]
;W[kj];B[fm];W[el];B[gm];W[bo];B[aq];W[hn];B[bl]
C[Black 185 is the jump in mentioned earlier. If White uses 184 \
(marked) to forestall this tesuji, White loses when Black plays \
at 184.]
TR[hn]
;W[bk];B[ak]
;W[cl]
(;B[aj]
C[When Black plays 189, White decides to go all out, though he \
knows the throw-in at X (A12) is coming. Black 185 to 189 attack \
the eye shape of the white group, yet White boldly attacks the \
enormous black group with 190 on. This is a blood-curdling game.

See the variation.]
LB[ah:X]
;W[im];B[jn];W[il];B[jj];W[ln];B[kk];W[km];B[jl]
;W[bm]
(;B[ah]
C[The ko started by 189 also places an enormous burden on Black. \
If he loses it, White is left with the cut at X (B10). What's \
more, he can't end this ko by connection at Y (A11); if White \
descends at Z (A18), the ko continues with Black W (B13). In \
short, this is a two-stage ko.

See the variation.]
LB[bg:W][ab:Z][ai:Y][bj:X]
;W[ai];B[jq];W[ah]
C[White connects at 202, so the ko switches to the center bottom, \
but note that White 202 sets up the cut at X (B10).

Cho: "When I saw Black 201, I thought I had won."

This ko fight is very complicated. For example, if Black plays \
a threat at Y (O18) instead of 201, White will still connect \
at 202. The possibility of a super-large trade of the top right \
white group for the left side black group is thinkable. "However, \
I thought that that trade would give White a win with the komi," \
Cho commented casually--as if the calculations involved were \
not almost super-human for a player in byo-yomi.

When a ko appears, let alone a two stage or approach move ko, \
the variations are unlimited. And yet Cho seems to enjoy these \
ko.]
LB[nb:Y][bj:X]
;B[kp];W[nr];B[or];W[jp];B[in]
;W[hm];B[kp];W[fd];B[gd];W[jp];B[fn];W[fo];B[kp];W[gc];B[ec]
;W[jp];B[af];W[ae];B[kp];W[fb];B[eb];W[jp];B[lj];W[mi];B[kp]
;W[rd];B[jp];W[sc];B[oi];W[ni];B[bj];W[oh];B[ph];W[oj];B[pi]
;W[al];B[qe];W[ik];B[ij];W[nh];B[og];W[qo];B[pq];W[qp];B[ho]
;W[go];B[kn];W[lm];B[lo];W[mn];B[ki];W[bp];B[so];W[sp];B[li]
;W[mh];B[sm];W[rn];B[sn];W[sl];B[sk];W[qj];B[ri];W[fj];B[gj]
;W[lk];B[ji];W[ha];B[fa];W[ar];B[as];W[ap];B[ar];W[sq];B[rr]
;W[ls];B[ns];W[jr];B[em];W[dm];B[en];W[dn];B[dj];W[dh];B[mj]
;W[nj];B[dk];W[dl];B[di];W[ii];B[hj];W[ol];B[on];W[se];B[sf]
;W[rc];B[sd];W[kd];B[ie];W[ab];B[se];W[ko];B[ms];W[lo]
C[Note that Black must take the center bottom white stones off \
the board.

Cho labeled Black 189 the losing move. The instant Yu played \
this move, he probably scented victory.

White wins by 2.5 points.]
)
(;B[lj]
C[Another point is that Black can't capture the center four white \
stones with this play.]
;W[mi];B[mj];W[ni];B[nj];W[oj];B[oi];W[oh];B[pi]
;W[og];B[nh]
C[After this sequence, . . .]
;W[jf]
C[. . . White plays here, and Black can't connect at X (K13). That \
means Black has to find ko compensation that will guarantee the \
life of his large group.]
LB[jg:X]
))
(;B[ai]
C[Cho: "Black should have descended here with 189.]
;W[ah];B[bm]
C[These moves would follow, and Black should win. See the continuation.

The logic of Black's play in the game is that it would be even \
better for him if White played the marked stone in response to \
189 in the game, but I had no inclination whatsoever to answer \
189."]
TR[ah]
;W[cn];B[im];W[cm];B[jj]))
(;B[jh]
C[Cho had jumped to the conclusion that Black would play 149 here. \
In that case, . . .]
;W[gb];B[fb]
C[. . . Cho planned to make this exchange and then live with X \
(A13). That would leave him with a sente seki for later. See \
the continuation.]
LB[ag:X]
;W[gd];B[fd];W[ec];B[ca];W[ea];B[fa]
;W[eb];B[db]))
(;W[gg]
C[Cho: "If I had instead simply connected here, the game would \
have ended earlier and wouldn't have been counted. White is not \
afraid of Black X (A12): White Y (J14) and Z (H11) are sente, \
so White can get eyes any old way. What Black wants to do, rather \
is to seal off the outside and force White to live with W (A13). \
In that case, Black could play U (A11) in sente, then jump in \
at V (B8). However, it will be difficult for Black to arrange \
things like this if White doesn't cut at 134 in the game."]
LB[bl:V][ai:U][ag:W][hi:Z][if:Y][ah:X]
))
(;B[mn]
C[Cho: "If Black plays this way, . . .]
;W[jn]
C[. . . White answers here. White's group is safe.]
;B[nm]
C[If Black captures, . . .

Note that if this black play is at X (J6), it is gote, and White \
gets time to link up.]
LB[in:X]
;W[kn]
C[. . . White gets the three stones.]
;B[lk]
C[If Black continues, . . .]
;W[lj];B[kl];W[oh]
C[. . . White plays this way, and Black hasn't profitted."]
))
(;B[ek]
C[Cho: "This is the most urgent play for Black. If White answers \
at X (C8) or Y (C7), that in itself makes Black's move forcing. \
Then Black could play at Z (K5). I did not intend to answer this \
black move.]
LB[jo:Z][cm:Y][cl:X]
;W[im]
C[Probably I would have played here, but . . .]
;B[bl]
C[. . . then Black can make this placement. This is big; at the \
least, the result is superior to that in the game."]
))
(;W[kq]
C[Cho: "If White plays this way instead, . . .]
;B[jp];W[kr];B[lq];W[kp];B[jn]
C[. . . he gets poor eye shape."]
))
(;B[jq]
C[Cho: "If Black plays 65 this way, . . .]
;W[er];B[gr];W[io];B[jp];W[dq]
C[. . . White takes a large profit in the corner."]
))
(;B[iq]
C[Cho: "If Black plays this way, . . .]
;W[ip];B[jq];W[ek]
C[. . . White plays this way. A link emerges with the marked white \
stones, which is a little painful for Black, so playing aggressively \
with 61 is natural."]
TR[lp][mo]
))
(;B[nc]
C[Cho: "If Black plays here after the development in this corner, \
. . .]
;W[me]
C[. . . White can counter this way.]
;B[oc]
C[Black's cut fails . . .]
;W[nb];B[mb];W[mc]
C[. . . because of this white throw-in."

After the game Yu commented that he overlooked the diagonal move \
of White 34 (marked here). In the game Black takes more corner \
territory in the upper right, but his outside stone is immobilized. \
Cho believes that playing as he suggests in the comment at Black \
31 and pulling out the marked black stone would have been better \
for Black. The game may be already easier for White than for \
Black.]
TR[ld][md]
))
(;B[le]
C[Cho: "This is probably the conventional move for Black 21. If \
Black had played there, I would have stuck to my policy of treating \
the marked stone as light. The continuation shows my plan.]
TR[od]
;W[fc];B[cf];W[id]
C[Yu probably guessed my intentions; that's presumably why he played \
21 as he did."]
))
(;B[oc]
C[Cho: "If Black plays 17 this way, . . .]
;W[mq]
C[. . . White starts a ko this way.]
;B[mr];W[pc];B[pd];W[np];B[op];W[oq];B[mp]
;W[nc]
C[If Black answers this white play at X (P18), White retakes the \
ko in the bottom right and ignores any ko threat Black makes. \
If instead Black connects the ko in the bottom right, White captures \
at X."]
LB[ob:X]
)
(;B[op]
C[Cho: "In light of the game sequence to White 20, Black could \
have considered playing 17 this way."]
;W[qc]
C[If White now plays here, . . .]
;B[dn]
C[. . . Black plays here."]
))
