My opponent turned out to be somewhat below me in level, and resigned on move 46. I've added variations and comments to what transpired, and would appreciate comments on my comments.



You have my thanks.

Hi Drew,

Before you hane'd ,
what was your reading if connects at B16 ?

In your var, ataris at B12.

Q3 also big.

Maybe F4.

C3.

D2.

Are you done editing your post?



I didn't see that. I'd be boned.



Noted. Thanks.

if C3, G3 then...

B4? ... K4 / L4
F4? ... K4 / L4
C5? ... D4, B4 ?

What's the best reply for W in the event of C3, G3 ?

I'm not sure, but W has the emergency connect D3.

Any thoughts on good responses to ?

Hane either above or below. I prefer above to keep the corner, as if you both reverted to playing the standard 3-3 under 4-4 invasion your c9 stone would end up a little inefficient (however I would still prefer white overall as black's invasion was too early and your thickness is more valuable). But both hanes are fine, particularly at ddk level.
However, there were some mistakes to learn from soon after:
- W move 16, c18 is a mistake because it is gote (after b18 d19 sente exchange) and then black should play c13 to break into the centre. c13 hurts you a lot as c14/15 stones then only have 2 liberties (notice the bad for white hane at the head of two shape?). You should extend at c13. Black could then connect at c18, and you answer at f17. Although you might feel sad that black saved the d18 stone and made some eyes/territory in sente, f17 for you is also a very valuable move to create eyes and thickness and good territory prospects on the top side.
- B move 19, b19 is a mistake, as gote and let white capture a stone in sente, should c13.
- W move 20, b13, should be c13 to not give a cut. If this move were sente to kill the black corner then it could be worth thinking about leaving that awful cut if black will need to spend a move to live inside, but as black played b19 his corner is already alive. It's strange that you read black's dumb move at a15, some psychic ddk connection? The comment "I realize this would have sucked for W. But I figured the thickness gained would offset the loss." is strange, because if you simply played c13 then you would have better thickness and no loss (in your variation to 34 the white wall is not thick with all those cutting points, plus d10 atari is bad idea, better to just tenuki or defend the d14 cut with e14 say) .
- W move 22, should just extend at b12.
- In variation, W move 26 d12 can be b12 to save the stone, but black can pull out his cutting stones and get the nice e13 atari (b12 d12 b11 e13 d15) so it sucks for you. Could all have been avoided with c13 rather than b13. This hane on the 2nd line leaving a nasty cut instead of extension on the 3rd is a very common beginner mistake, watch out for it in future.

Thank you for all of that.