1 Q16 Starting at the upper-right star point at Q16 establishes a balanced, flexible opening oriented toward both center influence and side development. This traditional opening move gives White several natural options in the remaining corners while keeping Black's strategy adaptable. 2 D4 The board is empty apart from Black's star point at Q16, so the right move is to take one of the open corners. D4 is a flexible star point in the diagonally opposite corner, where Black's stone has no influence. Approaching Q16 directly with something like R14 is premature while three corners are still open. If Black next takes another corner such as D16 or Q4, I can answer by taking the last open corner or by approaching. 3 Q4 With two corners occupied symmetrically diagonally, taking the bottom-right corner at Q4 sets up a flexible, harmonious framework along the right side with Q16. The alternative of occupying D16 or approaching immediately at C5 is also playable, but securing a second corner first maintains balanced whole-board development. 4 D16 The opening is quiet: Black holds the two right-side corners (Q16, Q4) and I have D4. The largest remaining spot is the empty upper-left corner, so I take the 4-4 point at D16 to form a matching pair of corners on the left. An approach such as R6 against Q4 is a real alternative, but it gives Black an easy pincer while the last open corner is still available. If Black takes the side or approaches one of my corners next, I can respond flexibly from two balanced corner bases. 5 C6 With all four star points occupied, approaching one of White's corners is standard and active. Approaching at C6 works naturally with Black's stone at Q4 to contest the lower side, while keeping flexible options to take territory or settle quickly depending on White's response. 6 D6 Black's C6 is a one-space high approach to my D4 star point. The standard and solid response is the one-space jump D6. It caps the approach direction, strengthens my corner, and keeps C6 separated. If Black slides in with C3, I can respond with B3 or D3 and stay comfortable. A pincer is an alternative, but with both right-side corners Black's, a simple development toward the center is sound. Tenuki to a right-side approach is also possible, but D6 handles the left side first. 7 C7 White's attachment at D6 directly touches Black's C6 stone while making a one-space jump from D4. Haned at the head with C7 is the natural, solid response, keeping White's D6 stone under pressure and developing Black upward while preserving cutting possibilities around D5. An alternative like B C5 allows White to push or connect solidly at D5, while wedging immediately at D5 is tactically premature. 8 D7 Black's C6-C7 group is extending up the left side toward my D16 corner. Playing D7 blocks that upward path, keeps the black stones on the low third line, and builds a wall that works with D16. If Black cuts at D5, I can answer E5 or C4 and keep the black group weak. I prefer D7 to C5: C5 secures the lower corner, but it would let Black stand up at D7 and pressure my D6 stone. 9 D8 Playing D8 delivers a powerful hane at the head of White's two stones (D6–D7), seizing the initiative and preventing White from easily building central influence toward D16. If White tries to cut with C8, Black can comfortably counterattack from the outside with C9 or B8 due to White's lack of liberties. This is much more active and shapes the left side better than passively crawling with C8. 10 E8 Black's D8 hanes at the head of my D6–D7 stones. I answer with the counter-hane at E8. This takes away D8's outward liberty and keeps Black from sealing my group against the lower left. If Black blocks at E9, I can push or extend along the 7–8 lines while my D4 corner stone backs me up. I prefer this to the passive extension at E7, which would let Black build a wall facing toward my D16. 11 E7 Cutting at E7 takes immediate advantage of White's overextension with E8. This move separates E8 from the D6-D7 stones, reducing the D6-D7 group to just two liberties (D5 and E6) and leaving White with two fragile groups to manage. If Black simply connected at C8, White would comfortably connect at E7 and resolve the shape. 12 E6 Black's E7 cut leaves my D7-D6 stones with only two liberties (E6 and D5), and E7 itself has only E6 and F7. E6 is the vital point for both sides: it puts E7 in atari and raises my group to three liberties. If I played F7 instead, Black would extend to E6 and put my D-stones in atari. If Black runs to F7 after E6, I can keep the fight going with F8, which strengthens E8, or by pressuring D8 from D9. 13 F7 White's atari at E6 leaves Black's stone at E7 with only one liberty at F7. Extending to F7 is the only viable move locally and globally, escaping the atari, increasing liberties, and maintaining the fight against White's surrounding cutting stones. Allowing White to capture at F7 would connect White's stones into absolute thickness and leave Black completely split and collapsed. 14 F6 F6 is the key point for both sides. It gives White's D7-D6-E6 group four liberties at D5, E5, F5 and G6. It also cuts Black's E7-F7 stones down to two liberties at F8 and G7. If White played F8 first instead, Black would take F6, leaving White's group with only two liberties against Black's three, which is a losing race. After F6, if Black plays F8 to atari E8, White can extend at E9 and keep both groups in a strong fighting position. 15 G7 Extending to G7 is the vital point to maintain Black's lead in the pushing sequence along the 6th and 7th lines, increasing the liberties of the E7-F7 stones while building massive upper-side and central thickness facing Q16. Playing G7 is superior to an overaggressive hane at G6, which would leave unnecessary cutting points, and Black safely keeps the initiative as White is forced to crawl or defend. 16 G6 The White group D7–D6–E6–F6 has only four liberties: D5, E5, F5 and G6. White G6 hane takes away a Black liberty and makes good shape, joining this group toward D4 and claiming the lower side. I considered F8 to rescue the cut stone at E8. But after F8, Black can hane at G6 and leave White's main group with only three liberties in a complicated fight. If Black answers G6 with F8, I can treat E8 as a light stone to sacrifice, while keeping solid influence over the bottom. 17 H7 Black's stones on the seventh line (E7-G7) have limited liberties due to White's surrounding stones at D7 and E8. Playing H7 is the essential extension to maintain the lead in the pushing contest, increase liberties, and keep White suppressed on the sixth line while building overwhelming thickness toward the upper right. Playing the hane at H6 is tactically dangerous because White's cut at H7 would exploit Black's shortage of liberties. 18 H6 Black's E7-H7 wall has only five liberties, but Black H6 would hit the head of my D6-G6 group. White H6 stops that hane and takes the wall's liberty at H6. It also keeps Black low and squeezed against my E8 stone. If Black plays F8 to atari E8, I can extend to E9 and keep D8 and the C6-C7 stones weak. I prefer this to D9, because after D9 Black can cut at E9 between my diagonal stones D9 and E8. 19 J7 Continuing the push along the 7th line with J7 maintains Black's head and builds tremendous upper-board influence facing the star points at Q16 and Q4, while White is crawling on the 6th line and accumulating territory below. Letting White hane at J7 would blunt Black's momentum and allow White to turn the corner toward the center, so extending to J7 is the natural and vital local continuation. 20 J6 White's row‑6 wall has plenty of liberties (D5–H5 and J6) and is building a large lower‑left area with D4. Extending to J6 keeps that frame growing and denies Black a hane at J6, which would block the wall's head. I considered the hane at K7, but Black can cut underneath at K6 and leave the lone K7 stone weak. I prefer the solid extension; E8 can be given up as a light stone if Black spends a move capturing it at F8. 21 K6 Haning at the head of White's six-stone wall with K6 is the vital shape move. If White attempts to cut with K7, White has only two liberties (K8 and L7) against Black's thick wall, allowing Black to immediately counter-atari with L7. Playing K6 turns White's momentum downward and severely restricts White's bottom potential compared to a passive extension at K7. 22 K5 Black's K6 blocks the head of my sixth-row group, so I hane at K5. This stops Black from sealing my group in further along the fifth row and keeps my wall working toward D4 and the lower side. Cutting at K7 instead would leave both my cutting stone and the weak E8 stone floating in Black's area. If Black double-hanes at L5, I can answer from K4 with a solid position. 23 L6 After Black's hane at K6 and White's counter-hane at K5, extending firmly to L6 is the natural and vital shape move. It keeps Black ahead in the pushing battle, maintains liberties for K6, prevents White from turning or cutting at K7 (since W K7 is met by B L7), and continues to build dominant whole-board thickness toward Black's stones on the upper and right sides. An empty triangle at K7 would be passive and allow White to turn at L6. 24 D9 The top-left contact fight is the most urgent area. Black D8 has only two liberties (C8, D9), and my cutting stone E8 also has only two (E9, F8). W D9 puts D8 in atari, gives E8 support, and pushes Black's C6–C7–D8 stones toward the edge. If Black connects at C8, I have good shape and can keep pressing those weak stones, or aim at F8 against the wall. Black's cut at J5 at the bottom is less urgent: that stone would be running inside my sphere with few liberties. 25 C8 White's move at D9 puts the Black stone at D8 into atari, threatening to capture it and solidly connect White's D7 stone to the outside while isolating Black's C6-C7 group. Playing C8 immediately saves D8, connects Black's stones into a unified and solid shape along the C-file, and denies White an easy capture and thick outside connection. 26 F8 F8 strengthens E8 and takes a liberty from Black's E7–J7 chain, leaving it with G8, H8, J8 and K7. That chain can only link to K6–L6 through K7. If Black hanes at G8, I can connect solidly with E9, keeping D9, E8 and F8 together while Black's wall stays thin. I prefer this to the purely defensive E9 because F8 also pressures Black's stones. 27 G8 White's push at F8 puts severe pressure on Black's row 7 group, threatening to cap or hane at G8 and restrict Black's liberties. Playing the hane at G8 is the vital shape point (hane at the head of two stones), keeping Black's stones safely ahead in liberties while putting pressure back onto White's E8–F8 stones. An alternative such as defending on the left or playing elsewhere would allow White to turn at G8, sealing Black in and creating severe tactical distress. 28 F9 Black's G8 leaves my E8-F8 stones with only two liberties, E9 and F9. A Black move at F9 would put them in atari and seal the top. Playing F9 myself connects them toward D9, gives them more liberties and keeps a G9 hane available. That hane would press Black's E7-J7 wall, which has only four liberties. I chose F9 over the sharper G9 because after G9, Black can cut at F9 and split my stones. 29 G9 Playing G9 executes the vital hane at the head of White's two stones (F8-F9), maintaining severe pressure on White's emerging shape. It naturally develops Black's thickness in cooperation with the G8-J7 wall and points toward Black's stone at Q16. Wedging inside around E9 is tactically flawed as it moves into White's surrounding stones, so G9 is the proper shape and direction. 30 F10 The White chain E8-F8-F9 has only two liberties, at E9 and F10, so a Black F10 would put it in atari. F10 extends it to four liberties and keeps pressure on the Black wall at G9. After F10, a Black cut at E9 would be self-atari, so D9 stays effectively connected. If Black plays E10 first, I can answer at E9. I prefer F10 to the plain E9 connection because F10 also takes the outward direction. 31 G10 Extending naturally to G10 continues Black's powerful push ahead of White's crawling group on the F-file, keeping White contained on the left while expanding Black's magnificent whole-board framework alongside Q16 and Q4. Directly haning at F11 leaves an unnecessary cutting point at G10, whereas the solid push at G10 maintains complete thickness without defects and keeps initiative in the center. 32 G11 Black's G10 is pushing along White's F8-F10 stones, and its next push or hane at F11 would leave that group short of liberties. Hane at the head of Black's three stones with G11 stops this and keeps Black's wall from heading toward the top and D16. If Black cuts at F11, White can atari from F12 or E11, and the cutting stone sits inside White's sphere around D9 and D16. I prefer G11 to the passive E9 connection because it keeps the initiative while still protecting the upper white group. 33 H11 White's G11 is an aggressive hane at the head of Black's three-stone column (G8-G10). Black should counter-hane with H11 to stay ahead in the race into the center and build massive influence toward the open right side (Q16/Q4). If White attempts to cut at H10, Black can counter-atari with G12, rendering the cut harmless, whereas an immediate cut at F11 leads to unnecessary tactical complications when Black already holds the upper hand on the outside. 34 G12 Black's H11 hane leaves G11 with only two liberties, F11 and G12. If Black gets G12, Black ataris G11 and keeps pressing White's F-column group from above while sealing off White's top-left framework. Cutting at H10 looks tempting, but Black ataris with G12 and then plays H9, and the cutting stone dies. Hane at H12 fails for a similar reason: Black cuts at G12. The solid extension G12 fixes the shape, keeps the F8–G11 stones linked toward D16, and leaves Black's H11 stone thin. 35 H12 Following White's push at G12, extending to H12 is the natural and solid move to stay ahead in the pushing battle. It maintains pressing shape against White's center stones without leaving cutting defects, while naturally building massive central influence toward the Black stones at Q16 and Q4. 36 H13 This is a pushing race up the G/H columns. If I play elsewhere, Black hanes at G13 on my head, which would seal my wall low and greatly enlarge Black's centre and right-side framework around P16 and Q4. The hane at H13 stops that, makes my left-side area anchored by D16 and D9 larger, and caps Black's wall. If Black cuts at G13, that stone has only two liberties (F13, G14). I can atari at G14 and fight with my strong G11-G12 group and the D16 support nearby. I prefer this to the slower G13 extension, which lets Black hane at H13 and keep growing toward the top. 37 J13 White's hane at H13 attempts to cap Black's pushing stones, but White's own cutting points and liberties are weak. Playing the counter-hane at J13 turns the corner around H13, maintaining momentum into the upper-right and center while working effectively with Black's stones at Q16 and Q4. A submissive defense like J12 would let White jump ahead to H14, whereas White cannot cut at J12 immediately because Black J11 would put that stone into instant atari. 38 H14 Black's J13 leaves H13 short of liberties: a black H14 would atari it and cut it off from G12. Extending to H14 keeps my wall connected along G12–G11–F10. It also keeps pace with Black's running stones toward the top and protects my top-left framework around D16. The hane at J14 is more ambitious, but Black's cut at H14 would leave both H13 and J14 weak, so the solid extension is better. 39 J14 White has played the hane at H14 ahead of Black's stone at J13. The natural and robust continuation is to push ahead at J14, keeping Black's stones solidly connected and preventing White from turning around the head. Extending with J14 exerts direct pressure on White's line while dramatically expanding Black's right-side framework alongside Q16 and Q4. 40 H15 H13-H14 has only three liberties: G13, G14 and H15. A hane at J15 would let Black cut at H15, leaving my stones with two liberties. H15 keeps pushing upward, which gives the group more liberties and builds my wall toward the open top-left around D16. If Black cuts at G13, I can atari from G14 and keep control. 41 J15 Continuing the pushing battle with J15 is the natural and powerful shape move, maintaining the lead in the pushing contest and keeping White flat. Extending here directly expands Black's immense right-side framework in harmony with Q16 and Q4, while avoiding any unnecessary cutting complications that a hane at H16 might invite. 42 J16 White plays a head hane at J16 to stop Black's J13–J15 wall from reaching the top side. This keeps the top tied to White's D16 corner and the H-file wall. If Black cuts at H16, White G16 puts the cutting stone in atari. After Black H17, White J17 keeps the hane stones connected while Black's cutting stones stay short of liberties. Simply extending at H16 would be slower: Black J16 would turn the top side toward Black's Q16. 43 K16 White's hane at J16 attempts to cap Black's stones, but the stone is tactically short of liberties. Black should counter-hane at K16, putting immediate pressure on J16 while extending influence toward the right and the Q16 stone. If White cuts at K15, Black can atari at J17, leaving White's stone in atari; if White instead extends to J17, Black can comfortably solidify the outside with K15. 44 H16 K16 leaves my J16 stone with only two liberties, H16 and J17. If Black gets H16 or J17 first, Black can cut J16 off from the H13–H15 wall or press it hard. H16 connects J16 solidly to the wall at H15. It also keeps the upper-left framework around D16 intact, and Black has no follow-up cut there. I considered the hane at K17, but Black's cut at H16 would then leave J16 short of liberties, so the solid connection is safer. 45 J17 Playing the hane at the head of White's two stones with J17 is the natural and vital shape point here. It keeps White suppressed on the top edge while expanding Black's upper-side framework in cooperation with Q16. If White tries to push through or cut at K15, Black has ample liberties on the right to handle the fight favorably. 46 H17 Black's J17 is a hane at the head of my H16-J16 stones. If I don't respond, Black can continue with H17 and press down along the top, cutting my wall off from the upper side and reducing my left-side framework around D16. Blocking at H17 keeps the wall connected toward the top edge. It also limits Black's top-right moyo between K16 and P16, and leaves Black's J13-J17 stones without a solid base. I considered tenuki to a big point on the lower right, but letting Black play H17 first costs too much in shape and influence. 47 J18 Black should extend to J18, staying ahead of White's push on the H-file and keeping White's group pressed down. Allowing White to play J18 would bend around Black's stones and compromise Black's outside thickness, whereas the cut at K17 is not a concern because Black can immediately atari and capture any cutting stone with K18. 48 H18 Black J18 threatens to hane at H18 and push into the top-left framework built by my wall from H13 to H17. Blocking at H18 stops this and keeps the wall's top end solid. Afterward I can still cut at J12 or H10 against Black's thin center shape. If I play elsewhere, Black H18 followed by G18 would cost several points along the top. It would also weaken my wall's eye space, so the block comes first. 49 H19 Playing H19 executes a hane at the head of White's stones at the board edge, completely sealing White on the top side. White cannot cut at J19 because that would immediately place the cutting stone into self-atari with only K19 as a liberty, while Black's stones have plenty of liberties at K17 and K18. Extending passively to J19 would let White turn or push further with H19, so H19 is vastly superior for outside control and corner territory. 50 L4 The top-edge hane at H19 is only a small endgame matter. My H13–H18 wall is solidly connected, and a Black push at G18 can be met with F18. A bigger move is to extend from J5 to L4 along the bottom. This builds my lower area and limits Black's Q4 corner from spreading left. If Black presses at M5, my stones still have room along the bottom, so I prefer this to a gote block at G18 or G19. 51 R5 White's L4 approach attempts to reduce Black's influence on the lower side while trying to help the isolated K5 stone. Since Black possesses immense thickness to the left (the J7–J18 wall and K6/L6 stones), Black should attack by driving White toward this thickness rather than overconcentrating immediately. Playing the corner enclosure at R5 firmly secures the corner, stabilizes the Q4 stone, and leaves White's L4–K5 stones floating without a comfortable base or good development prospects. 52 R10 Black's thick wall on the K column, together with Q16 and the new R5 extension, is turning the whole right side into a huge framework. That area is larger than anything left on my side of the board. My left-side groups and the H-column wall are not in immediate danger, and the black C6–C8 stones stay weak inside my area. I'll invade at R10, roughly midway between Q16 and R5. That leaves room to extend toward R13 or R7 and make a base. If Black caps or closes in from the wall, I can expand along the edge rather than run into the centre. I prefer this over attacking the C-group (gote and small) or patching the G13/F11 cutting points, because neither of those would be fatal right now. 53 R8 White's R10 enters Black's sphere of influence on the right side. In accordance with the proverb to drive the opponent toward thickness, Black plays R8 to solidify the lower-right corner territory while denying White a base, naturally forcing White toward Black's massive wall in the upper board. An alternative like R12 drives White toward Black's less developed corner, making R8 the superior whole-board choice. 54 Q9 Black's R8 pincers my lone R10 stone, and Black is strong above at Q16. My left and center groups are settled for now, so this stone is the urgent point. Q9 links diagonally with R10; if Black cuts at R9, I connect at Q10. It also blocks R8 from reaching the center and faces my bottom stones at K5 and L4. I chose Q9 over the lighter P9 because P9 leaves a wedge at Q10 that splits my stones. 55 R9 White's Q9 is a diagonal attachment against R8, aiming to press Black down and link with R10. Wedging with R9 is the vital shape point for both sides: it solidly connects Black's stones along the third line while splitting White's R10 and Q9 into two weak, separated groups. If Black played Q8 instead, White could seize R9 to connect and gain the upper hand locally. 56 Q10 Black R9 aims to cut at Q10, which would split R10 from Q9 and leave R10 with only two liberties. Q10 is a solid connection that removes the cut and makes one strong group facing the open center. If Black pushes at S10 or Q8, White can respond from strength. Playing Q8 first would let Black cut at Q10 and turn both white stones into weaklings. 57 Q8 White's Q10 connected the stones at Q9 and R10 into a strong shape, threatening to turn or hane at Q8 to separate Black's stones and build dominating center influence. Extending to Q8 is the vital point to prevent White's push, maintain connection with Black's lower-right framework (R5 and Q4), and keep Black's stones solid and thick. 58 Q12 White's group at Q9, Q10 and R10 is weak. It is caught between Black's Q16 corner and Black's stones at Q8, R8 and R9, and Black's large center wall faces it. I extend to Q12 to build a base on the right side so the group can make eyes. I prefer this to forcing moves like P8 or S9, which would only strengthen Black's lower-right stones. 59 P9 Playing at P9 hits the head of White's Q9-Q10 stones, expanding Black's lower-right framework while keeping White's group confined to the right edge. Allowing White to hane at P8 would bend Black's stones and relieve White's shape, so P9 is the vital point locally for both defense and attack. 60 P10 Black P9 threatens to push or cut at P10. That would leave White's Q9-Q10-R10 stones short of liberties between Black's strong lower-right position and Q16. Extending to P10 makes solid shape, keeps four-plus liberties, and links toward Q12 so the group can head into the center. A hane at O9 instead invites a cut at P10 and leaves the group thin. 61 O9 White's bump at P10 puts pressure on Black's P9 stone, which currently has two liberties (O9 and P8). Extending with O9 is the natural and vital shape point, preventing White from playing there to capture or flatten Black, while building Black's outward presence and liberties toward the center. Playing P8 instead would be submissive and allow White to turn at O9 with immense thickness. 62 N9 Black's O9-P9 pair has only three liberties: N9, O8 and P8. Playing N9 hanes at the head of these two stones, limits Black's push into the center and strengthens my O10-R10 group's eye space and outlook. If Black cuts at N10, the O9-P9 pair still has just two liberties (O8 and P8), so I keep counter-pressure. I prefer this to the passive N10 and to the cut at P8, where Black's O8 would leave my P8 stone in atari. 63 O10 White's N9 forms a knight's move with P10 to cap Black's stones, leaving the vital weakness at O10. Pushing through with O10 immediately cuts White's shape, prevents White from sealing Black in at O10, and separates N9 from the P10 group. If White attempts to resist with N10, Black can fight favorably by pushing or turning at N8 while keeping access to the center. 64 O11 Black's O10 cuts N9 off from my right-side stones and aims at the shape around P11 and Q11. O11 solidifies my P10–R10 group and links it toward Q12. It also cuts O10 off from the center, leaving Black's O9 group with only three liberties (N10, O8, P8). If Black cuts at N10, the lone N9 stone is expendable, and my wall from O11 to Q12 stays strong. I prefer this to P8 or O8, which leave me with weak stones of my own. 65 N10 Playing N10 pushes through and separates White's O11 and N9 stones while preventing White from playing N10 to cap and seal Black's group in. If White responds with N11 or attempts to defend N9, Black can comfortably develop into the center or pressure the weakened N9 stone. This is much stronger than wedging at P11, which would allow White to solidify the outside with Q11 and leave Black with shape defects. 66 N11 At N11, White blocks Black's N10–O10–O9–P9 group from escaping toward the top. It also connects to O11 and cuts the group's liberties to M10, O8 and P8. If Black runs with M10, White can strengthen N9 with N8 and keep chasing the stones between the white wall at P10–R10 and the center. I prefer this to N8, because N8 saves N9 but lets Black extend to N11 and join the top side. 67 M10 White's hane at N11 attempts to cap Black's stones in the center, but the natural and solid response is to extend with M10. This increases Black's liberties, prevents White from wrapping around the head, and moves directly toward Black's strong thickness on the left side while leaving White's N9 stone with only two liberties. Alternatives like cutting at M11 or directly attacking N9 with M9 allow White counter-play or hane at M10. 68 M9 N9 is the cutting stone that separates Black's M10–P9 chain from the Q8–R9 group, and it currently has only two liberties (M9 and N8). W M9 strengthens it and takes a liberty from the black chain, which then has only L10, M11, O8 and P8. If Black hanes at M11 to press my N11–O11 stones, I can answer around L11 or N12 and keep both black groups split and weak. I prefer this to M11, which lets Black atari at N8, capture N9 and join up with Q8. 69 L10 Extending to L10 is the vital shape move that keeps Black ahead in the pushing battle along the fourth line, increases the liberties of the central group, and prevents White from cutting or turning at L10. A double hane at L9 is too risky because Black's stones along the tenth line are short of liberties, making White's counter-cut at L10 severe. Moving at L10 also naturally develops Black toward the friendly stones on the left side. 70 L9 White's M9-N9 stones have only three liberties (L9, M8, N8), and Black could start capturing them with L9. Playing L9 myself strengthens those stones and takes a liberty from Black's L10-M10-N10 chain, leaving it with K10, L11 and M11. I prefer this to attacking O9-P9 with O8 or P8. If White plays O8, Black simply connects at P8. If White plays P8, Black answers O8, which puts the P8 stone in atari. 71 K10 White's push at L9 must be met by extending Black's center stones to keep ahead and maintain solid shape. Playing K10 stays ahead of White's row-9 stones, avoids granting White any tactical cuts or wedges, and naturally links Black toward the massive living wall along the J-column. Haneing at K9 unnecessarily invites counter-cuts at K10, while K10 guarantees Black full safety and superior center control. 72 K9 Black K10 forms a long chain from K10 to P9 with about 7 liberties, and it presses on my weak stones at L9-N9, which have only 4 liberties. If Black gets K9, my three stones are badly squeezed between K10 and the Black stones at K6/L6. I'll play K9 myself to extend that group, take a liberty from Black's chain, and aim at J10 to cut it off from the H-column wall. I prefer this to K11: Black can connect around via J10/J11, while my L9 group would stay weak. 73 J9 White has crawled along the 9th line up to K9, allowing Black to build tremendous central influence along the 10th line. Playing the hane at J9 strikes at the head of White's four crawling stones, maintaining initiative and capping White's advance. While extending solidly to J10 is safe, J9 is the natural and forceful shape move that keeps maximum pressure on White without leaving any serious cutting defects. 74 K8 Black's J9 is aiming at K8. Black K8 would seal White's K9-N9 chain under Black's K10-O10 wall and leave it short of liberties with no eye space. White K8 extends the chain toward K5 and L4 and gives it more liberties. It also keeps pressure on the thin black stones at J9 and K6-L6. I rejected the cuts at H9 and J8 because they leave White's own stones on two liberties, so Black can atari them right away (H8 or K8). 75 J8 Playing J8 is the vital shape point to connect the J9 stone directly to the living Black group at J7, while preventing White from wedging and cutting at J8. This completely seals White's central stones (K8-N9) from the left and leaves White with no eyespace or easy connection, maintaining Black's immense thickness and pressure across the center. 76 K7 The White chain K9-L9-M9-N9-K8 has only four liberties: L8, M8, N8 and K7. Black J8 aims at K7, which would cut this chain off from the lower side. White K7 removes that cut and extends toward K5. It also cuts off Black's K6-L6 stones, leaving them with three liberties (L7, M6, L5). I rejected cutting at J10, because Black K11 followed by H10 or J11 puts the cutting stones in atari. 77 L7 Playing L7 connects solidly to Black's K6–L6 stones, blocks White from turning around K7, and keeps the White K7–N9 stones heavy and without eye space. If White pushes at L8, Black can comfortably hane or extend at M8, keeping White confined while building strength toward the center and lower side. 78 N8 White's K9–N9, K8 and K7 chain has only three liberties, at L8, M8 and N8. Black's surrounding stones are stronger: K10–N10 has four liberties and L7–L6 also has four. N8 raises the chain to four liberties (L8, M8, O8, N7) and stops Black from cutting with N8. It also cuts Black's O9–P8–Q8 group down to O8, P7, Q7 and R8. M8 would leave the chain on three liberties, and L8 fills its own liberty, so N8 is the most efficient way to strengthen while pressing Black. 79 N7 White's group (K7 through N9) is heavily constrained with very few liberties and extended to N8 to seek an exit toward the center and bottom. Playing the hane at N7 blocks White's head, keeping the group sealed in and preventing an easy escape into the lower board. If White attempts to fight back with M8, Black can comfortably answer with L8 to keep White short of liberties, which is far superior to letting White freely turn at N7. 80 P8 The centre White group (K7-K8-K9-L9-M9-N9-N8) has only three liberties: L8, M8 and O8. However, Black's O9-P9 stones have just two, O8 and P8. Playing P8 puts O9-P9 in atari, with O8 as its only liberty. If Black extends with O8, White O7 captures three stones. If Black instead ataris P8 from P7 or plays M8, White captures at O8 first. Either way the centre group connects to O10-Q10 and is safe. I prefer this to O8, because after O8 Black can connect at P8 to Q8-R8 and White's group stays weak. 81 O8 White's P8 puts Black's vital cutting stones at O9-P9 into atari. Playing O8 saves these stones, keeps White's center and right-side groups separated, and immediately counter-ataris the isolated White stone at P8. Any tenuki would allow White to capture at O8, connecting all of White's stones solidly. 82 O7 Black's O8-O9-P9 chain has only one liberty left, at O7. My stones are also short of liberties: the K9-N9 group has only L8 and M8, and P8 is in atari. Capturing with O7 removes the three black stones and connects my central group to O10-Q10. This gives it plenty of liberties and saves P8 at the same time, which is far more urgent than any other move on the board. 83 P7 Captured 1. White's move at O7 leaves P8 with only a single liberty at P7, as diagonal stones do not connect. Playing P7 captures the P8 stone immediately, firmly connecting Black's cutting stones at O8, P9, and Q8 while isolating White's stones at O7 and N8. 84 M7 The seven-stone White group at K9-N9, K8, K7 and N8 has only two liberties, L8 and M8. W M7 puts Black N7 in atari and adds liberty pressure on L7. If Black answers M8, White captures it with L8. If Black answers L8, White N6 captures N7, and White can connect out through N7. Black's best reply is probably N6, which may still lose the group, but it costs Black a move and is more promising than a passive tenuki. 85 M8 White's central group (K7-N8) has only two liberties remaining at L8 and M8. Playing M8 is the vital point: it deprives White of the connection to M7, puts the entire seven-stone group into immediate atari, and leaves White with no escape since playing L8 would be self-atari. In contrast, playing L8 would allow White to connect at M8 and gain liberties toward the lower side. 86 N6 Captured 1. My large group from K9 to N9 is in atari, with L8 as its only liberty. Taking M8 with L8 would leave the group with only M8, so Black could retake there and capture it. N6 instead captures N7, which has only one liberty. That gives my group the extra liberty at N7 and links the M7 and O7 stones. If Black ataris at L8, I connect at N7 and my stones become a thick, safe group, while O8/O9/P9 stay short of liberties. 87 L8 Playing L8 connects Black's M8 stone to the living L7-L6 chain while reducing White's central group (K7-N8) to a single liberty at N7. This puts White's seven cutting stones into immediate atari, whereas allowing White to play L8 would capture M8 and let White escape. Therefore, L8 is the vital point locally and decisive for the game. 88 N7 My large group at K9-N9, together with K8, K7 and N8, has only one liberty left, at N7. Black L8 removed its other liberties, so Black N7 would capture the whole group. White N7 connects it to M7, O7 and N6, which gives it plenty of liberties. It also keeps the pressure on Black's weak stones at O8 and P9, and on L8-M8-L7-L6-K6, which has two liberties. 89 M6 White's central group is completely surrounded from the outside and currently has only three liberties: M6, N5, and O6. Black's cutting stones at {K6, L6, L7, L8, M8} also have only two liberties (M6 and L5). Playing M6 is the critical mutual shape point and capturing race move: it prevents White from playing M6 to put Black into atari, connects Black's stones toward the bottom, and reduces White's huge dragon to just two liberties (O6 and N5). 90 M5 The black chain K6-L6-M6-L7-L8-M8 has only two liberties, L5 and M5. My large central group (K9-N9 down to N6) also has only two liberties, O6 and N5, so this capturing race decides the centre. White M5 puts the chain in atari. Black cannot escape at L5, because that point is surrounded by K5, L4 and M5. Black also has no time to fill both of my liberties. So M5 captures six stones and rescues my centre group. 91 P3 White's M5 puts the six Black stones from K6 to M8 in atari with only L5 remaining; extending to L5 leaves Black with a single liberty at L4, which White captures immediately. Guided by the proverbs 舍小就大 and 逢危须弃, Black should treat these stones as expendable rather than adding another prisoner. Tenuki to P3 completes an ideal corner enclosure with Q4 and R5, securing substantial territory in the lower right while checking White's lower-side influence. 92 L5 Captured 6. The black chain K6-L6-M6-L7-L8-M8 has only one liberty, L5. Meanwhile my central group from K7 through N9 and over to O7-N6 is down to two liberties, O6 and N5. Playing L5 captures six stones and gives that group ample liberties, connecting it to K5, M5 and L4. This is far bigger and more urgent than answering P3 in the lower right. 93 F3 White's L5 aims to connect and develop the lower side and center framework in conjunction with D4. Playing the knight's approach at F3 breaks up White's potential on the bottom, directly challenges D4 from the wider side, and coordinates well with Black's position at P3. An immediate 3-3 invasion at C3 would undesirably grant White outside thickness facing the D6-J6 wall, making F3 the superior whole-board choice. 94 G3 Black's F3 is an isolated invasion beneath White's strong wall from D6 to J6, between White's D4 and L4. White should attack it directly rather than let it settle. G3 blocks the wider right-side extension toward H3, the side with more room. That leaves Black squeezed against D4 with little space for two eyes. A softer move such as F4 lets Black slide right along the 2nd and 3rd lines, so taking G3 first keeps the attack severe. 95 E3 In response to White's contact play at G3, extending to E3 is the natural shape move that expands Black's base towards the open bottom-left corner while aiming at an invasion at C3 or D2. If White jumps or pushes with F4, Black can readily slide into the corner to secure life and undercut White's D4 stone. This is superior to haning at G4 or F4, which would lead to unnecessary complications and allow White to counter-attack. 96 E4 Black's E3 and F3 are trying to live under White's D6–J6 wall, between my stones at D4 and G3. White E4 blocks Black from reaching the centre and keeps D4 connected toward my wall. It also leaves Black's two stones with only a narrow second-line space, so they become a target. I prefer this to D3, which takes away the corner base but lets Black cut at E4 and press D4. 97 F4 White's hane at E4 attempts to press Black's two stones (E3-F3) down, but Black can counter-hane at F4. Playing F4 connects directly to F3, separating White's E4-D4 stones from G3 and leaving both White positions with limited liberties. If White answers with G4 to reinforce G3, Black can comfortably settle with F2 or exploit White's thinness on the left with D3. 98 G4 F4 threatens G4 next, which would cut off G3 and press it against the edge. White G4 connects G3 and shuts Black's E3-F3-F4 group in under White's strong D6-J6 wall. That leaves the Black group with only E2, F2, D3 and F5 as liberties and very little eye space. If Black pushes at F5, White can keep pressing from G5 or E5 while D4-E4 still has enough liberties. I prefer this to F5, because F5 lets Black play G4 and settle lightly toward H3. 99 F2 White's G4 blocked Black on the right, but pushing up with F5 into White's solid row 6 wall would be heavy and self-damaging against White's thickness. Playing F2 is the vital shape move to secure a base on the second line, depriving White's G3-G4 stones of the G2 liberty while establishing eye space and stability for Black's settling group. 100 D3 Black's bottom stones (E3, F3, F4, F2) are trying to live inside my lower-side area. They have five liberties: D3, E2, G2, F1 and F5. D3 blocks their expansion toward the open lower-left corner, which is where Black could make real eye space. It also strengthens my D4–E4 stones. If Black replies G2, I can keep shrinking the eye space from H2 or C2. G3–G4 stay connected to my centre through G5, so the right side is less urgent than the left. 101 E2 Answering White's attachment at D3 is critical to prevent Black's local group from being split and suffocated against White's surrounding thickness. Playing E2 connects E3 and F2 into a solid, four-stone shape (E2-E3-F2-F3), denying White the vital hane at E2 and establishing a firm base on the bottom edge. A tenuki or an overaggressive hane like D2 would leave dangerous cutting points and allow White to exploit Black's thin liberties. 102 G2 The black stones at E2, F2, E3, F3 and F4 have five liberties and are trying to make life along the bottom. The open space toward H2 and H3 is their best room to grow, so W G2 blocks that side and connects to G3/G4. If Black replies D2, the remaining eye space at D1, E1 and F1 is small, and White C2 makes the D1 eye false. Blocking first with D2 instead would let Black play G2 and expand toward the empty right side. 103 F1 Locally, White's G2 blocks Black's F2 stone and threatens to take away Black's base and liberties with F1. Playing F1 is the crucial shape move to contest the first line, prevent White from clamping at F1, and secure eye space and liberties for Black's lower group. If White responds with G1, Black can calmly settle with E1 or D2. 104 F5 Black's bottom group (F1, E2, F2, E3, F3, F4) has four liberties: F5, D2, E1 and G1. Its only way out is through F5. White F5 closes that exit and joins G4 and E4 to the White wall on row 6. That leaves Black three liberties and too little room for two eyes. A reduction like D2 instead would let Black push out at F5 and cut at E5/G5, which could get messy. Sealing first kills the group cleanly. 105 D2 White's push at F5 reduces Black's central liberties, leaving the lower Black group with very few liberties and making D2 the vital shape point locally. Playing D2 connects to E2, increases Black's liberties toward the wide-open lower-left corner (aiming at C2 and D1), and prevents White from playing D2 to seal Black in. An alternative like E1 would be too passive and allow White to block at D2, whereas D2 immediately stabilizes the group. 106 C3 Black's D2 aims at C3, which would both reduce my D3-D4-E4 group and give Black's cut-off bottom group (F4-E3-F3-D2-E2-F2-F1, four liberties) room to live in the corner. Playing C3 solidly keeps my stones healthy and blocks the corner expansion. If Black continues with C2, I can hane at B2, leaving only a cramped first-line eye space at C1-D1-E1-G1 that I can attack. I preferred C3 to the sharper C2 because C2 lets Black cut at C3 and start a messy liberty fight around my D3 stones. 107 C2 Playing C2 is the vital shape point locally. It expands Black's lower group liberties and potential eye space along the second line while preventing White from playing C2 to press Black into a cramped, low position. If White answers by extending to C4 or B3, Black can easily stabilize the group with D1 or E1 while keeping pressure on White's C3-D3 stones. 108 B2 The black bottom-left group (C2–F2, E3, F3, F4, F1) has no secure eyes yet. Its liberties are B2, C1, D1, E1 and G1. B2 is the vital point. If Black replies D1, the eye at C1 is false because of White's B2 stone, and G1 is not an eye. That leaves Black with only one real eye at E1. If Black attacks with B3, White's B2 can extend toward B1 and win the liberty race. A passive B3 or G1 would let Black play B2 and make two eyes. 109 B1 Black needs to secure eye space for the lower group. Playing B1 hits the vital point under White's B2 stone, carving out territory on the first line while preventing White from playing B1 to seal Black in and destroy Black's eye space at C1. 110 B3 The bottom-left Black group (C2-D2-E2-F2-F1-E3-F3-F4 plus B1) has only first-line eye space, and its life depends on capturing my B2 stone, which has just two liberties (A2, B3). B3 connects B2 to C3. After that, C1 stays a false eye because B2 remains a White stone. If Black then plays D1, I play G1 and later A1/A2 to show C1 is false, so Black ends up with only the E1 eye. If I tenuki instead, Black B3 puts B2 in atari and captures it at A2, which makes C1 a real eye and lets Black live. 111 C1 White's push at B3 threatens to exploit the weaknesses around Black's B1 stone with follow-ups like C1 or A2. Playing C1 solidly connects B1 to the C2 group, eliminating all cutting and capturing aji while securing complete life and corner territory. This settles the bottom-left group in sente or near-sente before turning to the remaining open areas on the right side. 112 A2 The Black group on the bottom edge (B1, C1, C2, D2, E2, F1, F2, E3, F3, F4) has only four liberties: A1, D1, E1 and G1. It can make two eyes only by playing A2 to form an eye at A1, plus a second eye at D1 or E1. White A2 takes the A1 eye away first. Black can then get only one eye from D1/E1, and G1 and A1 remove its outside liberties, so the group dies. I preferred A2 to a direct E1 placement because after E1, Black captures with D1 and A2 is still needed anyway. 113 A1 White has just played the first-line hane at A2 to contest the corner liberties and pressure Black's lower chain. Black should respond locally with the natural block at A1, preventing White from playing A1 to reduce Black's liberties and solidify the corner. After Black A1, Black's group maintains its liberties along the bottom (D1, E1, G1) while denying White extra eye space. 114 C9 The black bottom-left group (A1–F4) has only D1, E1 and G1 as outside points. D1–E1 can form only one eye, so the group is already dead and needs no answer. A larger target is Black's weak C6–C8/D8 group inside my left-side area. Its only real escape is upward through C9, because the way out through C5–D5–E5 runs into my wall at D4/E4/E6/F5. Playing C9 links with D9, seals that exit and leaves Black with little eye space against my stones at D4, C3 and B3. That gains more than defensive moves at G1 or a big point in the lower right. 115 B9 Playing B9 is the natural hane at the head of White's C9-D9 stones, keeping White's local thickness contained while pushing into the open upper-left area. If White attempts to cut with B8, Black responds with B7, leaving the cutting stone with only one liberty at A8 and safely captured. Choosing B9 over the passive B8 prevents White from turning at B9 to press Black down along the second and third lines. 116 C10 Black's B9 puts White's C9-D9 stones down to three liberties: C10, D10 and E9. It also threatens to cut them off from the left side. C10 extends those stones to four liberties (B10, C11, D10, E9) and builds toward the D16 framework. It also presses on B9, so Black likely answers at B8 to connect to the C6-D8 group. I rejected B8 myself because Black's B7 would leave that stone in atari with only A8. If Black instead pushes at E10, White can connect at E9 or F11 and keep everything linked. 117 C11 White has extended to two stones with C9-C10, making C11 the vital point to hane at the head of two stones. Playing B10 would allow White to comfortably extend to C11 and gain momentum toward the upper side, whereas Black C11 keeps White contained and takes the initiative toward the top left. If White tries to turn at B10, Black can firmly respond at B11 to maintain outside control. 118 C5 Black's C6-C8 group has only four liberties (B8, B7, B6, C5) and very little eye space. White C5 takes a liberty and cuts the group off from C4 and the bottom-left, which keeps White's corner (B3-E4) safe. If Black plays B5, White C4 or D5 connects solidly and Black stays cramped on the edge. The C9-C10 stones are not in immediate danger: if Black plays D10, White can answer E9 to connect to the E8-F10 group, so C5 is more urgent than a passive move at the top. 119 B5 White just played C5, attempting to disconnect or push against the Black stones along the C file. However, Black's C6-C7-C8 chain is solidly connected with Black's group, while White's shape at B4/C5/D4/D5 has severe internal weaknesses, specifically the cut/push at B5 or blocking at B6. Connecting or blocking at B6 prevents White from connecting underneath or gaining liberties while keeping White's C5 stone isolated and useless. Alternatively, pushing at B5 immediately puts White's C5 stone into atari and captures it cleanly. 120 B4 The Black chain at the bottom (A1–C1, C2–F2, E3–F3, F4) has only D1, E1 and G1 as liberties, while my corner group has more, so that chain is effectively dead. What matters now is that B5 is probing A3/B4 to shorten my corner group's liberties and link toward B9 and C6–C8. B4 removes that aji, solidly connects my corner and leaves B5 with only A5 and B6 as liberties. I preferred this to the sharper B6 cut, because B6 lets Black play B4 or C4 against my corner and C5 stones. 121 B6 Playing B6 connects Black's B5 stone directly to the solid C6-C8 group, preventing White from playing B6 to cut and capture B5. This keeps White's C5 stone isolated and short of liberties, while White's shape around B4 remains pressed and awkward. Answering elsewhere would allow White to play B6 and comfortably resolve the lower-left situation. 122 R13 White plays R13, a side extension on the right. It builds on P12 and the O10–Q10 wall, gives that group more room, and limits Black's Q16 corner from below. The bottom-left Black group has only one eye (D1/E1) and three liberties (D1, E1, G1), so it is already losing the race. C5 is also safe, because Black D5 is captured at once by E5. On the left, B8 and B7 both fall into self-atari tactics, so the right side looks larger than chasing there. 123 R15 White's R13 approaches Black's Q16 stone, aiming to settle on the right side and reduce Black's framework. The solid kosumi at R15 defends the upper-right corner territory, denies White the easy slide under Black's position, and puts immediate pressure on the R13 stone while harmonizing with Black's stones in the lower right. 124 Q14 Black's R15 presses on my thin right-side stones at R13 and Q12, which still need eye space. Q14 links R13 and Q12 into good shape, blocks Black from growing downward from Q16/R15, and claims room on the right side. If Black probes at S13, I can answer at S12 and keep my eye space. I first looked at cutting at J10 to attack Black's centre chain. I rejected it because Black simply connects at K11 or J11 and keeps plenty of liberties, so stabilizing my own group matters more. 125 Q15 White's Q14 aims to exploit the diagonal relationship between Q16 and R15, potentially threatening a wedge or severe peep at Q15. Connecting solidly with Q15 firmly unites Black's stones in the upper right, denies White any cutting tactics, and naturally presses down on Q14. This is the solid, thick shape (honte) that leaves no weaknesses and keeps Black's corner safe and strong. 126 R14 Black's Q15 hane presses on my Q14 stone, which is only loosely linked to R13 and P12. R14 connects Q14 to R13 and blocks Black from sliding down the right side. It also keeps Black's Q16/Q15/R15 stones confined to the corner. If Black cuts at S14 or P14, my stones are now solidly connected with enough liberties to answer. I preferred this to a P15 hane, which would leave a cut at P14 behind my stones. 127 S14 White's wedge at R14 attempts to connect and pressure Black's upper-right stones. Playing the hane at S14 strikes at the head of White's R13-R14 stones, keeping White contained locally while coordinating effectively with Black's stones along the right side (R9, R8, S8). If White attempts to cut or push at S15, Black cleanly defends with S16, maintaining superior shape and corner territory. 128 S13 Black's S14 hane threatens to slide in along the right edge. That would take away the eye space of White's long right-side group (R14, Q14, R13, Q12, the P10–R10 stones, Q9, and N11/O11), and this group is not yet connected to anything safe. Blocking at S13 keeps that space and keeps R13/R14 solid. If Black connects at S15, White can then strengthen the shape at Q11 or R12. I chose this over cutting at S15, which leads into an unclear fight while White's own group is still thin. 129 S15 White's hane at S13 threatens to push and cut or atari at S15, which would severely compromise Black's right-side shape. Connecting solidly at S15 links S14 directly to R15 and Q15, eliminating White's cutting potential and securing the upper-right corner territory while leaving White's group overconcentrated and needing to settle locally (e.g., around S12). Tenuki or an aggressive counter like S12 allows White S15, so S15 is the vital point for shape and safety. 130 P11 Black's S15 only makes its top-right stones solid, so I do not need to answer it there. The real weakness is the cutting point at P11. If Black plays there, my N11-O11 stones are cut from P10-Q10-R10, and my right-side group also gets weaker. Playing P11 myself connects my centre and right-side stones into one strong group. It also seals the top of Black's K10-O10 chain, so I can keep pressing that chain with moves like M11 later. 131 M11 White's P11 aims to press and potentially enclose Black's center stones (K10-O10), which lack true eye shape locally. Playing M11 hits the head of White's N11 stone, decisively extending Black's liberties and keeping the group connected out into the center and top side. Taking a large territorial point like R17 is tempting, but securing this major dragon takes clear precedence. 132 N12 Black's M11 threatens to push into N12 and cut around my N11–P11 stones. That would also enlarge Black's top-centre area. Extending to N12 keeps my right-side group connected and gives it more liberties. If Black blocks at M12, the shape is still solid and I can later press toward the top centre. I prefer this to a bottom-right tenuki because a cut here would leave both my centre and right-side groups weak at the same time. 133 M12 Following White's hane at N12 over Black's M11, Black should extend solidly at M12 to maintain strong shape, gain liberties for the center group, and prevent White from blocking Black's path toward the strong Black wall on the J-file. If White extends to N13 in reply, Black can smoothly continue with L12 or link toward H12, keeping White's right-side stones separated and under pressure. This is much sounder than jumping immediately to L12, which would allow White to wedge or hane at M12. 134 M13 Black's M12 tries to push upward between my right-side group (N11–R10) and the open top-center area. A White stone at M13 stops Black at the head and secures the space above my N12/P12 stones. It also leaves Black's center chain (K10–O10, M11, M12) needing an extra move to link safely to its stones at H11 and H12 through J10 or K11. If Black cuts at N13, that stone has only N14 and O13 as liberties and is weak, so N14 or O12 punishes it. I prefer M13 to the passive N13 because it seals Black from the top instead of just extending my own group. 135 N13 White's kosumi at M13 attempts to connect to N12 and expand into the center. Wedging at N13 is the vital point that prevents White from connecting solidly, keeping M13 isolated against Black's strong upper-left framework while maintaining severe pressure on White's N12 group. Playing M14 instead would allow White to connect effortlessly with N13. 136 N14 Black N13 is down to two liberties, at N14 and O13. W N14 puts it in atari and also links toward my M13 stone. If Black extends to O13, I play O14 and then P13. That chases it into my stones at N12, P11 and Q12, where it has no escape. If Black instead ataris M13 at M14, I simply capture at O13. This is stronger than atari from O13, which would push Black upward toward his own strength. 137 O13 White's move at N14 put Black's N13 stone into atari. Extending to O13 is the essential move to save the stone, prevent White from connecting cleanly, and extend Black's center presence toward the strong upper-right group at Q15-S15 while keeping pressure on White's cutting stones at M13 and N14. 138 O14 Black's N13-O13 stones have only three liberties: O14, P13 and O12. W O14 connects N14 to the strong P14-Q14 group and leaves Black with two liberties. If Black plays P13 or O12, White's next atari leaves Black's only extension at P12, where it has no liberties because White holds Q12, P11 and O11. This captures the cutting stones and keeps White's center groups connected, which is better than O12, because O12 would let Black run to O14 and link up with P15. 139 P13 Extending with P13 is the essential shape move to increase liberties for Black's N13-O13 stones while threatening to push through at P14 or P12. Playing P14 immediately would be an overplay because the diagonal connection is severed by White P13. Extending to P13 solidifies Black's center stones and keeps White's surrounding groups split. 140 P14 Black's P13 threatens P14, which would connect to P15 and cut N14-O14 off from the Q14-R13-S13 stones. White P14 closes that cut and connects all those stones into one group. It also leaves Black's N13-O13-P13 group with only O12, P12 and Q13 as liberties. If Black ataris at O12, White P11 connects the center stones to P10, and Black's group is then short of liberties. 141 N17 White's connection at P14 leaves Black's three stones at N13-P13 with only three confined liberties, so continuing locally with Q13 or P12 would be an overplay that leads straight into a shortage of liberties and capture. Following the proverbs "弃子争先" (sacrifice stones to gain initiative) and "舍小就大" (abandon the small to take the large), Black should treat these three stones as a light sacrifice and tenuki to the whole board. Playing N17 sits symmetrically on the third line between the fourth-line stones K16 and Q16, securing a large territory across the top and creating ideal whole-board harmony. 142 Q13 The Black stones at N13-O13-P13 have only two liberties, O12 and Q13. White Q13 puts them in atari. Black cannot escape at O12, because that point has no liberties for Black. This effectively captures the three stones and links Q14 with R13-S13. The capture gives White's center group M13-Q14 secure eye space and a connection through N12, so Black's attack with N17 loses most of its force. A move like M16 to answer N17 directly would leave Black Q13, which cuts and keeps the whole group unsettled. 143 P15 White's capture at Q13 resolves the local struggle, giving Black sente to expand and secure the massive upper-right territory. Playing P15 connects solidly with Q15, directly blocking White's fourth-line wall at P14 and preventing White from pushing into the upper side. Compared to a passive move like Q17 or defending expendable stones inside White's thickness, P15 takes the vital point to cap White while coordinating perfectly with N17 and Q16. 144 O5 Black's three stones at N13‑O13‑P13 are already dead. They have only O12 and P12 as liberties, and either point would be self-atari, so capturing them now gains nothing. The black corner group from A1 to F4 also has only one small eye space and needs no move. The biggest open area is the lower right, where O5 pushes the boundary into Black's Q4/R5 framework. O5 stays connected to N6 and O7 through the miai points N5 and O6. I chose it over P6, which is only a slow two-move threat against P7. 145 P5 White's O5 aims to push into Black's right-side framework and connect with White's thick center stones. Black P5 directly blocks White's advance, solidifies the boundary between Black's right side and White's center, and works well with Q4 and R5. Playing P6 instead would be overly passive and allow White to push further at P5 or O4. 146 O4 Black's three stones at N13-O13-P13 have only O12 and P12 as liberties, and any extension puts them in self-atari, so they need no answer yet. P5 threatens to slide under O5 into White's bottom area. Playing O4 makes O5 solid and blocks that slide. After O4, a Black cut at O6 is self-atari because White captures with P6. I chose O4 over the quieter O6 because it also keeps the bottom side's territory intact. 147 P4 White's hane at O4 threatens to separate Black's stone at P5 from the bottom-right group. Extending to P4 firmly connects P5 with Q4, keeping Black's stones linked and putting pressure on White's O4-O5 stones. In contrast, playing P6 prematurely allows White to push at P4 and split Black on the fourth line. 148 L12 The large Black centre group (K10–O10, M11, M12, O8, O9, P9) has only five liberties: J10, K11, L11, L12 and P8. Its natural link to the top group runs through L12 and then K12 or K13. White L12 removes one of those liberties and blocks that link. It also strengthens my L13 stone, which a Black L12 would otherwise press down to two liberties. If Black connects left with J10, the H11–H12 route to the top still depends on J12, so I keep a real cutting and attacking chance. I prefer this to answering P4 locally because the bottom right is only a territory boundary, while this centre fight could decide the game. 149 L11 White's L12 attempts to push against Black's center stones and gain liberties or eye shape toward the bottom. Playing L11 firmly blocks this advance, connecting with Black's solid stones at L10 and M11 while keeping White's L12-L13 stones pressed and short of liberties. This defense completely settles the boundary, preventing White from playing the hane at L11. 150 K12 White L12-L13 has only three liberties: K12, K13 and L14. The black chain from M13 to K10 also has three, at O12, K11 and J10, and can link to J9 through J10. K12 strengthens the white stones and takes away Black's chance to atari at K12. It also threatens K11 and blocks Black from connecting toward H12. If Black cuts at L14, White can answer K13, and the lone L14 stone is weak next to White's M14 wall. I prefer K12 to the purely solid L14 because it adds pressure while still defending. 151 J12 Playing J12 directly connects H11-H12 with the J13-J15 stones, preventing White from wedging or turning at J12 to keep Black separated and short of liberties. Answering at K11 is overly passive and allows White to seize the vital point at J12, while connecting at J12 solidifies Black's center stones and leaves White's K12 stone with reduced liberties. 152 L13 Black's J12 sets up L13. That move would put M13 in atari and leave K12-L12 short of liberties, while the N13-P13 black stones could revive. Playing L13 myself connects K12-L12 with M13 and gives the group liberties at K13, K11, L14 and M14. Black's large central group then stays at three liberties (K11, J10, P8), and the N13-P13 stones are still capturable with O12. Capturing at O12 first would let Black play L13 and win the fight around K12, so the solid connection comes first. 153 K13 White's push at L13 aims to gain liberties and press against Black's stones on the J file. Playing K13 blocks White's development into the upper center, prevents White from turning toward the J12–J15 group, and restricts the liberties of White's stones at K12–M13 while keeping Black's center groups solidly connected and thick. 154 M14 The White chain K12-L12-L13-M13 has only three liberties: K11, L14 and M14. Black could start a squeeze with K11 or M14. Playing M14 connects this chain solidly to the strong N14-R14 wall, so the cutting stones at K13 and M12 gain nothing. The Black stones at N13-P13 already have only two liberties (O12, P12) and cannot escape, so they can be captured later. That makes immediately capturing with O12 slower than securing the connection now. 155 M15 White's M14 connects the central stones to the living group on the right while aiming to push into Black's upper side territory around M15 and M16. Playing M15 directly blocks White's advance at the head of the stones, keeping White contained to the 14th line and solidifying Black's upper territory. Blocking locally with L14 would leave White room to push through at M15, so M15 is the most natural and solid defensive shape. 156 L15 Black M15 aims to seal the top-center boundary. The three Black stones at N13–P13 are already dead, since both O12 and P12 are self-atari for Black. So I hane at L15 to reduce Black's top area. If Black cuts at L14, that stone has only K14 as a liberty and White K14 captures it; if Black blocks at L16, White can cut at K15 and press Black's J13–J15 group and K16. This is better than the slack L14 or a direct K15, which runs into atari at K14 with only two liberties. 157 K15 White's L15 wedge aims to exploit the space between Black's stones around J15 and K16 while connecting towards the center. Playing B K15 is the vital shape point that directly connects Black's stones, separates L15, and leaves the White cutting stone short of liberties, preventing White from pushing through or creating complications. 158 L14 L15 is White's only stone separating Black's K15–K16 group from M15. If Black plays K14 and then L14, L15 would be cut off and chased into Black's top-right area. White L14 connects L15 solidly to the M14–R14 wall and to L13. It also takes away eye space from Black's long J12–K16 group and keeps the threat of K14 later. I considered the more active L16, but after Black K14 and L14 the white stones would have only two liberties (L17 and M16) and become a weak group. The bottom-right area is also open, but entering behind Black's P3–R5 wall is speculative, so I prefer making this shape safe first. 159 K14 White's push at L14 threatens to cut and push through at K14, separating Black's center stones. Connecting solidly at K14 unites K15, J14, and K13 into an impenetrable shape while firmly keeping the upper Black groups connected to the center. Any counter-attack or tenuki allows White to cut at K14 and cause severe tactical trouble. 160 L16 White L16 is a solid extension from L15 with liberties at L17 and M16, so it is not a weak stone. It also takes away one liberty from Black's central group. Its main threat is White K17 next, which would cut off and endanger the weak black J17/J18/H19 stones. A secondary threat is White M16, which would put M15 in atari. If Black answers K17, I keep a free hand for P12, which connects my right side and settles the dead black N13–P13 stones, or for the bottom boundary. I prefer this over playing P12 now because P12 is gote, while L16 gains on the top edge.
Reasoning
White L16 is a solid extension from L15 with liberties at L17 and M16, so it is not a weak stone. It also takes away one liberty from Black's central group. Its main threat is White K17 next, which would cut off and endanger the weak black J17/J18/H19 stones. A secondary threat is White M16, which would put M15 in atari. If Black answers K17, I keep a free hand for P12, which connects my right side and settles the dead black N13–P13 stones, or for the bottom boundary. I prefer this over playing P12 now because P12 is gote, while L16 gains on the top edge.
