1 Q16 The board is empty, so the only real decision is which corner and which type of corner stone. A 4-4 point like Q16 (the upper-right star point) is flexible, develops toward both adjacent sides, and leaves no immediate tactical weakness for White to exploit. I prefer it over a 3-4 point like R17 because it keeps the opening simpler and emphasizes rapid development, and over the center because on 19x19 corners are more efficient for securing area. 2 D4 D4 takes an empty corner and leaves flexible development along both adjacent sides; Black’s Q16 poses no immediate threat. If Black takes D16, I can take Q4 to occupy the remaining corner. I prefer this to approaching Q16 immediately, since three corners are still open and there is no urgent fighting. 3 Q4 It is move 3 in a quiet opening; Black has Q16 and White has D4, leaving two empty corners. Taking an open corner is the largest move. I'll play Q4 (3-4 point) in the lower right, giving a solid corner that pairs with Q16 along the right side and prepares a Chinese-style framework; alternatives like D16 (top left) are similar in value, but Q4 keeps my stones working together on one side. White will likely take the remaining corner at D16, after which I can approach or build with R10/Q10 area. 4 D16 D16 takes the remaining open corner and balances Black’s two stones on the right; no group currently needs tactical defense. If Black approaches at C14, I can answer at F16 to develop toward the upper side while strengthening the corner. Approaching Q4 at O3 is also reasonable, but I prefer occupying the vacant corner before committing to a local exchange. 5 F3 Both sides hold two 4-4 corners; the position is symmetric and quiet with no weak groups. The largest remaining move is a side extension or an approach. I prefer approaching White's corner at C6 or F3, but a standard, flexible choice is the right-side framework or an approach like C14/F17. An approach at F3 to D4 lets White pincer, so I choose the shoulder/knight approach at C6 — no, better to simply enlarge my own side: the big point at K16 or R10 works, but approaching is slightly more active. I'll approach the lower left at F3, expecting a pincer around H3 or a calm reply at C6, either of which leaves me good development toward my Q4 stone. 6 D6 D6 strengthens D4 against the F3 approach while developing the open left side toward D16. If Black continues with F5, White can play C3 to secure corner space rather than chase Black’s stones. Approaching Q16 is also large, but I prefer this flexible reinforcement before leaving the lower-left corner. 7 C3 After White's D6 jump, the F3 stone is thin against White's D4-D6 shape, so I take the corner with C3, the standard 3-3 entry. If White blocks at C4, Black D3 followed by the E3/E4 exchanges lets Black secure the corner plus the lower side connected to F3; if White cuts at D3 instead, Black C4 captures the corner area cleanly. This is better than floating with F5 or extending to J3, which would leave Black's lower-left stones base-less. 8 D3 D3 blocks Black’s C3 invasion toward F3, keeping those black stones separated while using White’s D4 and D6 support. If Black extends to C4, I can play C5, allowing Black corner space while building strength along the left side. I prefer this to C4, which lets Black extend toward F3, or approaching Q16 before settling the lower-left contact. 9 C4 White blocked at D3, so my C3 stone needs to extend now rather than be squeezed; C4 is the natural joseki continuation, giving the corner stones liberties and shape while aiming at B5/C5 to secure life. If White answers D5 or C5 to build outside strength, I follow with B6/B5 and the corner lives comfortably, and my F3 stone already limits White's wall on the lower side. Haning at C2 instead would let White take C4 and leave my stones cramped, so C4 is clearly better. 10 C5 C5 bends around Black’s C3–C4 stones, limiting their expansion while using D6 as support. If Black responds at B5, D5 connects C5 to both D4 and D6, giving White a strong outward-facing shape. I prefer this useful local reinforcement to approaching Q16 immediately, since the lower-left contact fight is still unsettled. 11 B5 White's C5 hane leaves D5 empty, so C5 is cut off from D4/D6. B5 counter-hanes, reducing C5 to two liberties (C6, D5) and forcing White to connect at D5; then Black B6 extends along the second line and secures the corner while White's outside wall is somewhat thin at C6/D5. If White instead plays B6, Black calmly connects at B4 and keeps the corner. I prefer this to D2, which tightens D3-D4 but leaves White B5 to squeeze my C3-C4 stones' eye space. 12 D5 D5 connects C5 and D6 to D3–D4, removing Black’s cutting point and giving the whole group ample liberties. If Black replies B4 to connect the lower-left stones, I can extend with E4 toward the open center while putting pressure on F3. I prefer this efficient consolidation to approaching Q4 immediately, which would leave Black the disruptive wedge at D5. 13 D2 My corner group C3-C4 has only three liberties and White's wall D3-D6 bears down on F3, so the lower left is the urgent area. D2 is the vital point for both sides: it takes White's eye-shape/liberty at D2, prevents White from sealing my corner with D2 herself, and prepares to link under to F3 via E2. If White cuts at E3, I connect with E2 and have a long second-line group plus the corner (B4/B3) for eyes, while F3 remains a light stone; if White plays C2 or E2 instead, those stones are short of liberties and I can capture or extend comfortably. The solid B4 is safer locally but leaves White D2 to squeeze my eye space and isolate F3, so D2 is the more active choice. 14 E3 E3 extends the lower end of White’s wall and prevents Black from joining D2 to F3 through E3. If Black replies E2, I can connect solidly at E4, keeping good liberties and leaving F3 separate from the corner stones. An approach at O3 is large, but I prefer to settle this useful local boundary before turning elsewhere. 15 E2 White's E3 threatens E2, which would cut D2 from F3, attack D2 and leave the whole lower-left corner group cramped and short of eyes. Black E2 connects D2 to the F3 stone (White F2 would be captured immediately), keeps White's D3–D6 chain down to five liberties and holds the corner together; White's follow-ups like C2 or B4 then fail tactically because they run out of liberties against B2/B3. I considered the cut at E4, but that starts a fight while my own corner stones are still thin, so the solid connection is better before thinking about F4 or the open areas elsewhere. 16 O3 O3 approaches Black’s lower-right corner from the direction of White’s lower-left strength and contests the large open bottom side. If Black answers with Q6, White can enter at R3 to seek a corner base. I prefer this to E4: the connected lower-left white group has five liberties and room to extend, so Black’s E2 does not require an immediate answer. 17 Q6 White's last move O3 approaches my Q4 stone; the lower-left is reasonably settled (my C3/C4/B5 and D2/E2/F3 stones are safe enough and white's D3–D6 group has ample liberties), so answering the approach is the main issue. I considered the pincer at M3, but my F3 stones are far away and white could counter-pincer, and P5 attaches too aggressively. Q6 keeps the corner, develops the right side toward Q16, and leaves white with a low, cramped group that must settle with something like L3 while I keep sente-oriented pressure on the right side. 18 L3 L3 extends from O3 along the lower side, giving the approach stone room to develop while working with White’s lower-left strength. If Black presses at O4, I can answer N3; after N4, M3 connects back to L3. I prefer this development to immediately entering at R3, which would secure corner space but help Black build outward strength. 19 F4 White has tenukied the lower-left twice, so the cut-off White group D3-E3-D4-D5-C5-D6 has no eyes and only liberties at E4, E5, C6, E6, D7, while Black's corner is actually safe: I read that both the C2 cut and the F2 cut by White fail (F2 is captured in an edge ladder after G2/E1, C2 is captured after B2/D1/A1), and B4 also fails after B3. So instead of defending passively, I want to press this group and strengthen F3 against the L3 stone with F4, keeping White low and heavy; if White pushes at E4 I answer E5, and if White tries F2 it is captured. I preferred F4 over E4 because E4 leaves a two-liberty stone that White can atari at F4, and over a tenuki like P3 because solidifying F3-F4 both attacks and makes any later White L3 development pointless. 20 E5 E5 expands the lower-left group’s liberties and eye space while limiting Black’s F4 stone. If Black extends to F5, I can continue at E6; if Black wedges at E4, F5 keeps White developing outward. I prefer this flexible strengthening move to the cramped connection at E4 or leaving the group exposed while approaching Q16. 21 H3 White's left group (C5-D6-E5-D4-D3-E3) is connected and has five liberties, so nothing is urgent there, and my corner stones (C4-C3-D2-E2 with B5) can answer B4 or C2 safely. The real weakness is my F3-F4 pair sitting between White's wall and the L3-O3 stones; a White move around H3 would make them heavy and give White the whole bottom. H3 gives these stones a base, reduces L3's room, and keeps sente-like pressure on the bottom, which I prefer to the smaller E4 push or a top-left approach that leaves this group to be attacked. 22 F5 F5 extends my lower-left group outward while putting pressure on Black’s F4–F3 stones and preventing Black from hemming me in at F5. If Black attaches at G5, I can extend to F6, staying connected and gaining liberties; against E4, E6 develops toward the center. I prefer strengthening this group while the move also pressures Black to approaching the upper-right corner at O17 immediately. 23 C14 The lower-left is reasonably stable for now: White B4 would be self-atari, and if White probes at C2 I can answer B2, so there is no urgent local defense, while filling liberties at E4 or pushing at G5 gains little against White's six-liberty wall. The real issue is that White's wall at C5–F5 faces up the left side toward D16, so the left side is White's biggest development area; approaching at C14 undercuts that side and takes corner value while D10 would leave a lone stone facing the wall. If White answers at D14 or C16, I can settle with a base on the left or slide into the corner, and I keep the right-side framework (Q16, Q6, Q4) for later. 24 F17 F17 reinforces D16 while developing the open upper side, leaving the already well-connected lower-left stones alone. If Black attaches at C16, I can answer at D17 and connect toward F17 through E17 if needed. I prefer this balanced corner reinforcement to immediately approaching Q16 at O17, which would leave Black more scope to pressure D16. 25 Q10 The lower left is tactically stable for now: White's cuts at F2, C2 or E4 don't work (e.g. W C2 B B2 W C1 B D1 and the stones die), and a White peep at B4 only leads to a cramped but living corner for Black, so it is not urgent. The biggest open area is the right side, where Q16, Q6 and Q4 form the skeleton of a large framework; Q10 completes it on the fourth line and also limits the value of White's O3/L3 stones expanding toward the right. I considered C17 to settle the C14 stone against D16/F17 and a shimari at O17, but C14 still has room to extend down the left and a right-side extension is worth more than a local corner move now. 26 O17 O17 approaches the open upper-right corner and develops the top side in coordination with F17. If Black answers at Q14 to reinforce the right side, L17 gives White a useful extension along the top. I prefer this to reinforcing O3 immediately: L3 already provides support there, while leaving the upper-right corner untouched would let Black develop too freely. 27 P17 White's O17 is a knight approach to my Q16 stone, and the top is already White's sphere (F17, D16), so a pincer at M17 risks creating a weak stone of my own. Instead I attach at P17: after White's natural O16 extension I can play Q14/P15, which coordinates with Q10 to turn the entire right side into a solid framework while keeping White low on the top. The lower-left is stable for now (my F3/F4/H3 and C3/C4/B5 groups each have 4–5 liberties and White's wall there has six), so the top-right answer is the biggest and most urgent move. 28 O16 O16 keeps O17 connected and gives White room to develop toward the open upper side rather than being pressed against the top edge. If Black connects at P16, I can extend at N16, strengthening the group toward F17 without fighting Black’s stronger right-side stones. This is more useful now than a distant left-side extension, which would leave O17 exposed to further pressure. 29 P16 White's O16 extension leaves the cut at P16 between P17 and Q16; if White cuts there, P17 is captured and the corner becomes thin, so defending now is the honte. P16 connects solidly, makes Black thick toward the right side where Q10 and Q6 are waiting, and keeps the corner secure. The lower-left is unsettled but both groups have liberties and no immediate tactical threat, so the top-right shape takes priority over moves like E4 or B6. 30 O15 O15 extends the O16–O17 stones toward the center and prevents Black from bending around their lower end. If Black follows with P15, N15 turns toward the open upper center while keeping White connected. I prefer strengthening this unsettled group to approaching at Q3, where Black already has support at R4 and Q6. 31 P14 White's O15 push threatens to continue at P15 and squeeze Black's top-right wall (P17, P16, Q16), so I extend with the one-space jump to P14. This stops White's advance, keeps the wall healthy, and links naturally with Q10 to frame the right side as Black territory. I preferred P14 over the hane at P15 (which invites White O14 and further pushing fights) and over the more passive Q14, since P14 both defends and expands. The bottom-left weakness around E4/F2 and the corner cut at B4 are not immediately fatal, so this larger point takes priority. 32 K16 K16 develops the open upper side, working with F17 and the O15–O17 stones without continuing to push Black toward the right-side framework. If Black presses at O14, N15 keeps my stones connected and gives them room toward the center. I prefer this broad extension to O14, which strengthens the local wall but lets Black develop naturally with P13. 33 B3 The bottom-left is Black's real weakness: C3 and D2 are only diagonally related, so White C2 would split C4/C3 from D2/E2 and threaten the whole corner group. B3 fixes this indirectly (after W C2, B B2 ataris and C2 cannot escape: W C1, B D1 leaves it with one liberty) while also building eye shape at B4/A-points and claiming the corner, which is better than the merely solid C2. Alternatives like reducing White's K16 framework or P3/N4 at the bottom are large, but the C2 cut costs more than any of them gains. 34 G5 G5 extends the lower-left White group toward the open center while putting pressure on Black’s F3–F4 stones. If Black replies at G4, I can continue at G6, keeping my stones connected rather than forcing a risky fight against H3. This strengthens an unsettled group and develops useful central influence, which I prefer to immediately approaching the lower-right corner. 35 G4 White's G5 cap aims at G4/G3 to press the thin F4-F3-H3 stones against the L3 stone and separate them from the living corner group. G4 connects F4, F3 and H3 into one solid group with liberties at E4, G3, H4 and J3, leaving no cutting point for White to exploit, while keeping the lower-left corner (B5-C4-B3-C3-D2-E2) secure and the bottom side still open for Black. I considered the hane at G6 or the block at H5, but both leave the G4 cut and give White a fight in an area where White's D5-G5 wall is strong; the solid connection removes any weak group before taking the next big point. 36 H5 H5 extends the connected lower-left group toward the center and limits Black’s expansion from G4 and H3. If Black connects underneath at H4, I can continue with J5, keeping a solid front and working toward the white stones at L3. I prefer this development to E4, which closes a local gap but neither captures Black’s stones nor improves White’s outward reach. 37 K3 White's H5 wall is strong, so my bottom stones (F4, G4, F3, H3) need eye space and liberties, but H4 alone is too slow. K3 is a one-point jump from H3 that extends the group along the bottom while pressuring the thin White stones at L3/O3. If White cuts with H4, I answer G3 (White G3 is self-atari), and after W J4, B J3 the group is connected with ample eye space on the second line; if White instead defends L3 with M4/M3, I can later take H4 or play elsewhere, e.g., approach the top-left. 38 L4 L4 strengthens L3 toward the center while keeping pressure on Black’s K3 stone. If Black extends at K4, I can continue at L5, keeping the white stones connected and gaining room to develop. I prefer this solid extension to M4, which leaves Black the cutting move at L4; the upper-board white groups are not under immediate threat. 39 K4 White's L4 aims to seal my bottom stones (F4-G4-F3-H3-K3) against the strong C5–H5 wall, so the local issue is to keep that group healthy without getting pressed flat. Instead of the passive J3 connection, I play the hane at K4: it keeps K3 linked (if White cuts at J3, Black J4 ataris and the J3/J2 stones lose the resulting liberty race), and it pushes against L4/L3 so the group gains eye space toward the bottom while reducing White's area between L4 and O3. If White extends L5 or hanes K5, I follow with J4/J3 and G3 as needed, giving a solidly connected, alive group with sente prospects against the M3/L2 area rather than letting White play K4 and cramp me. 40 N4 N4 develops the lower side while helping the L3–L4 stones and O3 support one another, and it limits Black’s expansion from Q4 and Q6. If Black wedges at M4, O4 connects N4 securely to O3 while leaving the L3–L4 stones room to extend. I prefer this broader reinforcement to K5, which pressures K4 but invites a fight around J5 without strengthening the lower-right position. 41 H4 The bottom is the urgent area: White's E5-H5 wall has no eyes yet, but Black's stones at F3/F4/G4, H3 and K3/K4 are also thin and fragmented. H4 solidly connects G4 and H3, links toward K3/K4, and takes a liberty from the white wall, leaving it with only C6, D7, E6, F6, G6, H6, J5 and E4 to run with. If White cuts at J4, Black J3 pushes it to J5 while all Black bottom stones stay connected; if White instead got H4 first, Black's F3 group would drop to three liberties and the shape would collapse. This is more valuable than any quiet move on the upper side. 42 L5 L5 strengthens the L3–L4 stones and develops toward the open center while keeping pressure on Black’s K3–K4 group. If Black extends at J5, I can play K5, connecting to L5 and limiting Black’s expansion above the lower-side stones. C11 is a large whole-board alternative, but reinforcing the less-settled lower group is more urgent; H4 does not directly threaten to capture the connected H5 stones. 43 J5 White's L5 threatens J4, which would cut K4/K3 off from the F3–H4 stones, so a local answer is needed. Rather than the passive J4 connection, J5 hane separates H5 from L5 and cannot be cut: a White cut at J4 would be self-atari (its only liberty J3). If White K5 then J6, Black simply connects J4 and the whole bottom group has ample liberties and eye space along the second line, while White's left wall (D3–H5) remains eyeless and the L5/N4/O3 stones are also split off, giving Black attacking chances instead of letting White seal the group in with a free move. 44 J6 J6 caps Black’s J5 stone while extending White’s influence from the lower-left group toward L5. If Black connects underneath with J4, I can play K5, strengthening the L5 stones and restricting Black’s central group. I prefer this to K5 immediately, which would let Black extend at J6 and press against H5. 45 K5 White's J6 aims to seal the bottom black group and leaves J5 with only two liberties (J4, K5). K5 connects J5 to the K4-K3 stones, denies White the sealing atari at K5, takes a liberty from the L3-L4-L5 chain (which is not connected to N4/O3), and threatens to push out at K6 into the center. If White blocks at K6, the enlarged group (F3-K5 with E4/G3/J3/J4 and rows 2-1) has ample eye space and I keep the M3/M4 cut and L2 hane against the loose white stones; if White instead defends at L6 or M4, Black K6 escapes and neutralizes White's wall. The passive J4 would just invite White K5 and a tighter seal, while tenuki risks White K5 followed by L2 squeezing the group's eye space. 46 K6 K6 strengthens J6 while pressing Black’s J5–K5 chain and preparing to link up with L5 through L6. If Black connects underneath at J4, L6 gives White a solid outward-facing wall; if Black cuts at L6, M6 attacks the cutting stone while keeping room to connect through M5. I prefer this multipurpose move to a distant left-side extension because it improves White’s shape before Black can separate the lower groups. 47 C17 The bottom fight is settled: White's K6 is not a threat, since my F3–K5 stones are effectively connected (J3/J4 are miai), have seven liberties and plenty of eye space along rows 1–2, so I can tenuki. The biggest open issue is the upper left, where White's D16–F17 and D6 frame a large area and my C14 stone is floating. The 3-3 invasion at C17 takes the corner directly and uses C14 as support: after W D17, B C16, W C15, B B15 squeezes the hane and connects out, while after W C16, B D17 and B16 give a comfortable corner life beneath F17. I prefer this to C10, which only loosely extends toward White's thick wall, and to a riskier mid-side invasion at H17. 48 D17 D17 connects to D16 and blocks Black from extending along the upper side, while preparing to link with F17. If Black replies C16, I can play E17 to complete that connection, then consider D15 if Black extends to C15. I prefer securing this upper-left shape to taking the large point at D10 and allowing Black to wedge between D16 and F17. 49 C16 White's D17 attaches against my C17 stone; leaving it would let White take C16 and capture or isolate it. Playing C16 connects the corner stone solidly, works with C14 to form a left-side group, and keeps pressure on the White D16/D17 stones which still lack a base. If White answers B16 or C15, I can continue with B15/D15-style shape and remain connected, while the bottom black groups are already safe enough (a White cut at J4 is self-atari answered by J3), so this is the most urgent point. 50 D15 D15 extends the D16–D17 stones toward the open left side and prevents Black from pushing through that point. If Black connects at C15, E16 strengthens White and gives two ways to link up with F17, through E17 or F16. I prefer this active extension to the quieter E16 immediately; reducing Black’s right-side framework can wait while the upper-left shape remains unsettled. 51 C15 White's D15 threatens C15, which would cut C16/C17 from C14 and leave the corner stones with very little room. Connecting solidly at C15 makes a strong wall C17-C14, secures the corner and left side, and keeps the weakness at E16/E15 in White's thin D17-D15 shape as a future target. Other areas (the bottom-left group and the right side) are stable enough that this local defense is clearly the priority. 52 D10 D10 develops the open left side, working with D6 while limiting Black’s potential below the C14–C17 wall. If Black approaches at C12, I can answer at D12, strengthening these stones toward D15 rather than being pressed against the edge. D18 is a useful local alternative, but the upper-left white stones have ample liberties, so developing the larger open area is more valuable now. 53 D13 The bottom-left fight is roughly settled: White's J4 or J3 cut fails (either stone is immediately capturable) and F2 keeps my F3 group linked to E2/D2, so no urgent local move is needed there. White's D10 tenuki aims at D13, which would seal my four-stone C14–C17 wall into a small edge group; D13 myself prevents that, splits D10 from the thin D15–D17 stones, and threatens E14 to shut White's top-left group in. If White defends with F15/E15, I keep sente to pincer K16 at J16 or press the O15–O17 stones with N14, both backed by my right-side wall. 54 E14 E14 strengthens the upper-left white stones while expanding toward D10 and the open center. If Black connects at C13, I can continue at F12 rather than contesting the secure left edge; if Black cuts at E15, E16 connects back to D16. I prefer this multipurpose development to O14 on the upper right or a premature attack on the bottom black stones, which can connect through J4. 55 D14 White's E14 is only diagonally related to D15, so D14 both connects my C14/D13 stones and cuts E14 off from the D15–D17 group, leaving E14 with three liberties and the top white group with only E15/E16/E17/D18. If White connects at E15, I can follow with E13 or F14 to press the heavy white shape while my left-side group becomes completely solid. This is more concrete than attacking the O15–O17 stones with N16, which would let White take D14 and both seal my corner and capture D13. 56 F15 F15 develops toward the center while protecting the connection between D15–D17 and E14: if Black cuts at E15, E16 captures the cutting stone. Against Black F14, I can connect at E15 and keep the whole group secure. I prefer this flexible extension to the more cramped E15, while the lower-side groups have no immediate capture threat requiring an answer. 57 J3 The bottom Black stones J5-K5-K4-K3 have only three liberties (J4, J3, K2) and the F4-H3 group has no eyes yet, both sitting in front of White's strong G5 wall; White J3 next would start a dangerous attack. Playing J3 myself connects both groups into one, makes J4 a guaranteed true eye (White J4 would be suicide), and leaves G3/G2/F2 with D2-E2 as ample space for the second eye, so the whole bottom group is effectively settled. White's F15 is not an immediate threat to my solid C14-D13 stones, so securing the only weak Black group outweighs a center or right-side framework move like O13 right now. 58 L6 L6 connects J6–K6 to the L3–L5 stones, strengthening White’s lower-center position while limiting Black’s expansion from J5–K5. If Black presses at K7, J7 expands White’s connected group without leaving the two sixth-line stones isolated. I prefer this multipurpose connection to E15: the upper-left stones have room to develop, while L6 improves both safety and central influence. 59 N15 The bottom Black group (F3–K5) has a real eye at J4 plus eye space along the second line (G3/G2, H2–K2), so White's L6 is not a direct threat and I can tenuki. The most pressing fight is the unsettled White trio at O15–O17, squeezed between my O17/P16/Q16 corner and P14: N15 presses it from the open side, expands my right-side framework toward Q10, and threatens to seal it in so it must crawl toward K16 while I take profit at the top. If White answers N16, I keep the initiative with M17 or N14; this seemed bigger than defensive moves like O7 or attacking D10 at D8, since the left side is already contested by White's strong D6 group. 60 N16 N16 strengthens the O15–O17 group, blocks Black’s N15 stone from extending upward, and develops toward K16. If Black plays O14 to connect with P14, I can continue at M16, keeping my group mobile rather than forcing a risky local fight. A large move such as Q8 is attractive, but strengthening these pressured stones first has greater immediate value. 61 O14 White's N16 hane leaves my N15 stone with two liberties, but the white group O17-O16-N16-O15 is cramped against my P-column wall with only four liberties (N17, O18, M16, O14). O14 takes away its center exit while connecting N15 to the lone P14 stone, so after White's natural M15 atari I extend N14 and my group has ample liberties while White is forced to crawl out along M16 toward K16 as a heavy group with no eyes in the corner. This is more solid than the sharper M16 block, which would let White's N14 atari cut off P14 and start a fight White could win by escaping into the center. 62 N14 N14 prevents Black’s N15 stone from connecting to O14 and puts it in atari, challenging the cut beside my upper-right group. If Black extends at M15, I can play M16, strengthening N16 while keeping pressure on the cutting stones; if Black instead plays P15, M15 captures N15. I prefer this active defense to a quiet M16, which would let Black connect underneath at N14. 63 M14 White's N14 puts my N15 stone in atari (only liberty M15). Running out at M15 into White's K16 influence would create a heavy weak group while my O14-P14 stones still have the P15 cutting point, so instead I sacrifice N15 for forcing gains: M14 counter-ataris N14 (its only liberty becomes N13). White must capture at M15, after which N14 and M15 remain diagonal with N14 on two liberties, so I can atari again at N13 and White must connect at N15. That leaves me with an outward-facing wall M14-N13-O14-P14 toward the center and my right side (Q10, Q4-Q6) in sente-flavored shape, far better than passively connecting at P15 and letting White take M15 for free. 64 M15 Captured 1. M15 captures Black’s cutting stone at N15 and creates useful liberties beside the upper-right white group. Black can reply at N15 to capture N14; I would then connect M15 to the main group with M16 rather than attempt an illegal immediate ko recapture. This is more active than extending at N13, which lets Black save N15 by connecting at M15. 65 N13 White's N14 cut has only two liberties (N15, N13) and my M14 stone also has two (M13, L14). Playing N13 puts N14 in atari and forces White to connect at N15, making a heavy group whose liberties are then only M16, L15, N17, O18, while N13 also gives M14 a reinforcement route via M13 if White ataris with L14. This keeps my O14-P14 and P16 stones strong on the right and leaves me the initiative to pressure the White clump with L15/M16 next; the passive alternative P15 lets White save N14 with N13 and capture my M14 stone. 66 N15 N15 saves N14, which has only one liberty, and connects it firmly to N16, M15 and O15. If Black extends at M13 to strengthen M14 and N13, I can play L15 to develop the connected white group toward the center. I prefer securing this connection now to E16 on the upper left, where White is not under an immediate tactical threat. 67 M13 White's capture at N15 left the cutting point at M13: if White plays M13 next, my M14 stone goes into atari and N13 gets separated, so the shape at the top right would collapse. Playing M13 solidly connects M14-N13 to the O14-P14 wall, after which White's seven-stone group (M15-O17 plus N14) has only five liberties (L15, M16, N17, O18, P15) and no eyes, so White must spend moves settling it while I gain strength facing the center and right side. I considered L13 as a lighter net, but it invites W L14 and leaves more cutting aji; M13 is the thick move that keeps the attack on the heavy white group. 68 N6 N6 develops the lower-right side while giving N4 support and extending from the strong white stones at L6. If Black wedges at M6, I can answer at M5, connecting to L5 and leaving N5 available to join N4. I prefer this multipurpose expansion to a close attack at L14, which would help Black’s M13 group gain strength toward the center. 69 P15 The key point on the board is P15: it connects my P17-P16-Q16 stones to O14-P14, removes a liberty from White's floating O17/N16/O16/M15/N15/O15/N14 group (leaving it N17, O18, M16, L15 with no eyes), and prevents White from playing P15 themselves, which would cut my top stones apart and leave P16-Q16 with only four liberties. White must then run with M16 or L15 toward K16 while I chase and build the right side. The bottom black group (F4-K5) still has seven liberties and ample edge eye space (F2–K2, G3) and can also link to D2-E2 via F2, so N6 does not require an immediate answer. 70 L16 L16 supports K16 while giving the constrained N16–O17 group room to expand toward the upper center. If Black presses at L15, I can connect solidly at M16; an immediate Black cut at M16 instead has only M17 as a liberty and can be captured there. I prefer strengthening this group to E15, since the upper-left stones have more room to develop. 71 K15 White's top-right group (M15/N15/O15/N14/N16/O16/O17) is thin with only the liberties M16, L15, N17 and O18, and L16 is meant to link it to K16 via M16. I cannot cut at M16 directly (self-atari) and L15 is vulnerable to the L14 counter-atari, so I play K15 instead: it takes away White's downward extension, threatens the follow-up L15 that would squeeze the group to three liberties, and builds a wall with M14/M13/N13 facing the center and my right side. If White connects at M16 as expected, I keep sente for a big point like P8 to secure the right side against the N6/N4 stones; if White tenukis, L15 followed by N17 starts a severe attack on the top group's eye space. This is better than an immediate P8 because leaving L14 open would let White press my M14 stones and reduce the center for free. 72 L15 L15 connects K16–L16 to the main upper White group and reduces Black K15 to two liberties, J15 and K14. If Black extends at K14, J16 strengthens White toward the open upper side without overcommitting to a chase. E15 would consolidate the upper-left stones, but I prefer securing this connection and limiting Black’s pressure first. 73 K14 White's L15 leaves my K15 stone with only two liberties (J15, K14), so I should strengthen it rather than let White capture it and link the top group out freely. K14 extends solidly, gives K15 four liberties, and keeps L14 as a connection to the M14-M13-N13 stones so my pieces form a continuous wall facing the center; it also keeps the pressure on White's top-right group, which still must find eyes along the top edge (liberties J16, K17, L17, M16, N17, O18, L14). I considered the hane J16 to block White's escape, but after White's J15 atari the fight becomes loose and risky with no real gain, whereas K14 is thick and keeps the initiative for later attacks like J16 or the big open left side. 74 J16 J16 extends the unsettled upper White group toward the open center-left and prevents Black from sealing it in with a move there. If Black replies at J15, H16 keeps White connected and expands its space without getting drawn into a close fight against K14–K15. An approach at O10 would reduce Black’s right-side potential, but securing this group’s escape route is more urgent. 75 L14 White's J16 pushes against my K15/K14 stones, and the real weakness in my top group is L14: if White plays L14, K15/K14 are cut off with only three liberties while M14/M13/N13 also lose a liberty, and I would have two weak groups near White's strong wall. Black L14 solidly joins everything into one group (K15-K14-L14-M14-M13-N13) with liberties J15, J14, K13, L13, M12, N12, O13 and a clear path to the center, after which White's not-yet-settled top-left stones around D15-F17 become a target. I considered tenuki to the lower-left moyo (around H8) or P7, but allowing the L14 cut would cost real points at the top and leave me chasing eyes, so connecting first is better. 76 P4 P4 approaches Black’s lower-right corner while working with N4 and O3, helping White’s lower-side stones develop toward the open right side. If Black wedges at P3, O4 connects P4 to N4; against Q3, P3 connects directly to O3. I prefer this active development to E15: the upper-left stones have room to maneuver, and L14 does not put the upper White group in immediate danger. 77 P5 White's attachment at P4 against Q4 needs an answer, since ignoring it lets White play Q3/P5 and squash the lower-right corner stones. The hane at P5 is the strongest local reply: if White cuts at Q5 the stone is immediately in atari (only liberty R5) and dies, so White must extend to O4 or push at Q3, after which Black secures the corner with Q3 or R3 while keeping Q4-Q6-Q10 connected and leaning on White's N4-O3 stones. I preferred P5 over the lower hane P3, where White Q3 would put the hane stone in atari and start a bad fight for Black. 78 O4 O4 connects N4, O3, and P4, securing the lower-right stones and removing the threat of an atari against P4, which currently has only two liberties. If Black continues at P3, N5 links this group to N6 and strengthens White’s position toward the center. E15 would usefully consolidate the upper-left stones, but I prefer resolving the lower-right cutting points first. 79 P8 The whole board is a contest of frameworks: White's lower-left (D6, D10, C5–H5 wall) versus Black's right side (Q4/Q6/P5, Q10, P14–Q16). White's last move O4 simply connected its bottom group, and my bottom-left group (F3–K5) has a real eye at J4 plus second-line space, so there is no urgent local response. The most concrete gain is to secure the large right-side area before White invades around R8/Q8 from the N6 stone; P8 works with Q10, Q6 and P5 so that an invasion at R8 or R12 is cramped between my stones, while also reaching toward the center. I considered a reduction at E11 or the center point K10, but either leaves White an easy invasion at Q8 that would shrink my biggest asset far more than I could gain on the left. 80 E15 E15 connects D15, F15, and E14, removing an important cutting point and strengthening White’s unsettled upper-left stones. If Black presses at E17, D18 keeps the connected group’s access to the open top edge. I prefer securing this connection to N5 in the lower right, where White has more room and P8 creates no immediate tactical threat. 81 E13 White's E15 strengthened the E14 stone and prepares E13, which would hane around my D13 and seal my top-left group (C14–D13) off from the center while enlarging White's left-side framework around D10/D6. Black E13 blocks that solidly, builds a wall facing the center that works with my K14–N13 stones, and keeps White's top group (J16–O17) and the D15–F15 group separated from the center, so a later probe like G17 gains strength. If White pushes F14, I can continue with F13 and keep the center; the right side is already strong enough that an invasion there is not urgent, and the bottom-right contact fight (O5/N5) is smaller than this key boundary point. 82 H6 H6 directly connects H5 to J6, unifying the lower-left and lower-center White groups while preventing Black from extending J5 into the center. If Black pushes at G6, F6 strengthens the connection toward D6 and puts G6 in atari. M4 would connect the lower-right stones, but H6 strengthens the larger group and gives White a firmer base for central development. 83 N10 White's H6 connected the lower white groups to the big left group, so there's no urgent attack there and Black's bottom group is already alive with eyes at G3 and J4. The largest open area is the center-right between my upper wall (K14-M13-N13) and my lower stones (Q10, P8, Q6), where a white reduction at O11/N10 would shrink my biggest territory. N10 closes that gap, loosely links N13 and Q10, and claims center influence against White's K6-L6 wall; I prefer it to D11 on the left because White's follow-up there (C11/C12) costs less than a white push into the right side. 84 M8 M8 develops White’s lower-side strength toward the center while limiting the framework formed by N10, P8, and Q10. If Black presses with N8, White can extend to M9, keeping room to move into the center; M6 also remains available to connect toward L6 and N6. I prefer this active development to the solid but narrower connection at M4, since the lower-right stones are not yet under an immediate forcing attack. 85 E11 White's M8 is a reduction, but answering it at N8 only saves roughly 6-8 points, while the whole left side (columns A-G, rows 6-12) is White's largest potential area and D10 is a lone stone. Black E11 extends from the strong D13/E13 wall, caps White's left framework at row 10 and prepares C10/C11 to harass D10, while also helping Black's center stones form territory with K13-N13 later. If White continues with N8, Black answers O8/O9 and the right side remains about 50 points; the trade favors Black since E11 both takes and denies more than N8 would protect. 86 C8 C8 develops the open left side while giving D6 and D10 a nearby base; E11 does not yet threaten an immediate capture. If Black presses at C10, D9 keeps D10 moving toward the center, with C9 or D8 available to link toward C8. I prefer securing this broad side to confronting E11 at F11, where Black can reinforce with E12 without resolving White’s need for territory. 87 L9 The urgent-looking C8 doesn't need an answer: Black's upper-left group (C14–C17, D13, E13) still has access to the center via D12/E12 and corner eye space, and the bottom group already has an eye at J4 plus room on the second line. The biggest open area is the center-right, where White's lone M8 stone is trying to link the G6–L6 wall to the center and reduce Black's right side. L9 leans on M8 (its liberties become L8, M7, M9), works with N10 and P8 to seal the bottom-right boundary, and extends Black's center influence toward E11; if White connects with L8 or M7, Black follows with K8/N7 and solidifies a large right-side area in good shape. I preferred this to a quiet D12 because White's K10/J10 expansion from the strong bottom wall would otherwise be worth more than the left-side reinforcement. 88 M7 M7 strengthens M8 while preparing a connection to L6 and N6, giving White a firmer foothold between Black’s L9, N10, and P8 stones. If Black presses with M9, I can answer M6, connecting to the lower group while retaining liberties toward L8 and N8. I prefer this coordinated central move to expanding around F10 while leaving M8 isolated. 89 N8 White's M7–M8 stones are poking toward my right-side territory; the real danger is a white push at N8/N9/O9 that would wreck the area between N10, P8 and Q10. N8 blocks that entry solidly (it links to P8 via O8 and to N10 via N9) and limits the white pair to running left where my L9, E11/E13 stones already wait. I considered L8 to attack more sharply or K12 to claim the center, but those leave N8 for White, trading secure territory for a loose fight; N8 keeps my profit and still leaves attacking follow-ups like L8 or M9. 90 N7 N7 connects M7–M8 to N6 while taking a liberty from Black’s N8 stone, strengthening White’s unsettled center-right stones. If Black answers at O8 to connect toward P8, M6 then joins this group securely to L6 and the lower white chain. I prefer this useful connection and pressure to expanding at D8 while leaving these stones separated. 91 O7 White's M7-N7 line is trying to split N8/P8 from my bottom-right stones (P5, Q6, Q4) and shrink the right side. O7 is a hane that seals the P-column: the cut at O8 fails outright (after B O7, a white O8 stone has only the O9 liberty and is captured), and if White ataris with N9 I simply connect at O8, leaving N9 weak. Compared with the plain connection at O8, O7 claims more of the right side and keeps pressure on N6-N7, while the bottom black group still has ample second-line space and the top-right white group is not yet an urgent target. 92 M6 M6 joins the M7–N6 stones to the large White chain through L6, securing the central junction before Black can wedge between them. If Black presses at O6, N5 connects to the N4–O4 group and expands our eye space. I prefer this solid connection to chasing N8 with O8, since Black can escape through N9 while White’s own connections remain unsettled. 93 H10 The white bottom-right group (N4/O4/P4/O3) can always connect via N5, and White's O6 push is not severe since black P6/P7 answers it easily, so the local area is not urgent. The biggest open area is the center between my E11/E13 stones and the L9/N10/M13 wall; a move at H10 links E11 and L9 at a comfortable distance and claims the center territory above (F–M, rows 11–13) while facing White's thick row-6 wall. If White reduces with J9 or H9, I answer J10/G10 and keep the upper center; this is larger than the gote O6/P7 solidification, which I can still play later. 94 R17 R17 takes the open upper-right corner before Black can consolidate it with P17 and Q16. If Black blocks at R16, I can extend to Q17 and, against Q18, connect at R18 while retaining room along the top edge. I prefer this concrete corner gain to reinforcing D10 immediately, since the left-side white stones still have ample escape space. 95 R16 White's R17 is an invasion of my top-right corner, where my P17-P16-Q16-P15 wall is strong. Playing R16 blocks White from sliding down the right side toward my Q10 stone and confines the stone to the narrow top edge; if White answers Q17, I seal with P18 and White's Q17-R17 stones have too little eye space to live, and if White tries S16, I can cut at S17. Q17 instead would let White extend to R16 and fight for life on the open right side, which is worse for me. 96 Q17 Q17 connects to R17, presses Black’s P17 stone, and develops White’s foothold along the upper edge. If Black reinforces with P18, I can extend to Q18, keeping access to the open top while staying connected. I prefer this to N9: although N9 puts N8 in atari, Black can answer O8 and connect toward O7 and P8. 97 S17 White's Q17-R17 stones have only three liberties (Q18, R18, S17) and are cut off from the O17 group by my solid P17-P16 wall. S17 hits the key outside liberty: if White extends Q18, I answer P18 and White is left with R18/Q19, and the edge sequence (R18, S18, R19, S19, Q19, P19) leaves White without eyes, since my P18 and S17 stones stay connected to strong groups. White S16 in reply doesn't threaten anything because R16 is solidly linked to Q16-P16. Capturing these stones secures the whole top-right corner, which is worth far more than any other boundary move on the board. 98 Q18 Q18 extends the two white stones at Q17–R17 toward the top edge and helps them connect toward O17. If Black wedges at P18, I can answer O18, putting that cutting stone in atari rather than allowing a clean separation. This local reinforcement is more urgent than expanding around D10, because Black can otherwise squeeze the upper-right stones against the edge. 99 P18 White's Q17-R17-Q18 group has only three liberties (P18, R18, Q19) and is cut off from the O17 group. Black P18 connects solidly to P17 and reduces it to two liberties; if White extends R18, Black S18 (connected to S17) leaves White with only Q19/R19 and no eye shape, so the group dies after Q19/P19 exchanges. Playing R18 directly instead would be self-atari after W S18, so the solid P18 is the correct way to secure the top-right corner, worth far more than any left-side or center move right now. 100 S18 S18 creates room on the right while making Black’s cutting move at R18 vulnerable: after R18, White can capture that stone with R19. If Black blocks at T18 instead, T17 puts that stone in atari and creates useful capture threats along the edge. I prefer this active defense to R18 immediately, which lets Black confine the Q17–R17 group with S18. 101 Q19 White's Q17-Q18-R17 stones have only two liberties (Q19 and R18) and S18 is not connected to them, so Black Q19 puts the three stones in atari immediately. White must connect at R18 (if White counter-ataris S17 with T17, Black just captures at R18), and after R18 the whole white corner group has only R19/S19/T18 as liberties with a cramped eye space; Black can then play S16 to solidify S17 and White has no realistic way to make two eyes in the corner. I preferred this to the R18 throw-in, which White simply captures at R19 and which leaves a messy liberty fight, whereas Q19 keeps the pressure on with Black's P18 group safely connected to the big P16 group. 102 R18 R18 saves the three stones at Q18, Q17, and R17 from immediate capture and connects them to S18. If Black tries to squeeze with T18, P19 puts Q19 in atari: Black R19 then allows S19 to capture both top-edge stones. This urgent connection is preferable to developing the center or lower side while leaving the corner stones in atari. 103 T17 The white corner group (Q18-R18-S18-Q17-R17) has only three liberties at R19, S19 and T18, and its only eye space is the tiny T17-T19 area. My S17 stone currently has just two liberties (S16, T17), so T17 both removes that weakness and takes away White's eye space. After T17, if White ataris with R19 I extend to P19 and White is left with S19/T18 only, which cannot make two eyes; if White plays T18 I answer R19, and the group dies. A cut at S16 also fails since S15 then T15 captures it, so T17 settles the corner decisively. 104 C18 C18 takes the open upper-left corner while using D17 to support the approach against Black’s C17–C14 stones. If Black presses at B18, I can extend to C19 and then connect toward D18 rather than fight down the left side. The Q17–S18 stones are tightly enclosed, and extending at R19 does not provide a reliable escape, so I prefer gaining useful corner space to adding stones to that group. 105 S16 The white group Q17-R17-Q18-R18-S18 has only three liberties (R19, S19, T18) and cannot make eyes, but my S17-T17 stones have just two liberties (S16, T16), so White's S16 would start a messy race that could rescue the group. Black S16 connects S17 to R16/Q16, after which White's attempts fail: W R19 B P19 then W T18 or W S19 both end with Black capturing via S19/T18-T19. Capturing this group is worth far more than answering C18 in the top-left, where my C14-C17 wall remains safe with many liberties. 106 N9 N9 puts N8 in atari while separating it from Black’s N10 stone and reducing Black’s central potential. If Black answers at O8, M9 connects my new stone to M8 and strengthens the central White group. I prefer this forcing expansion to O8, which leaves the new White stone with only two liberties and invites an attack at P8. 107 M9 White's N9 stone has only two liberties (M9, O9), and the hane at M9 leaves it unable to escape: if White extends O9, Black O10 reduces it to O8/P9, and the continuation P9–Q9, P10–P11, O8–O7 ends in capture thanks to the Q10, P8 and N7 stones already in place; if White instead ataris M9 with L9, Black M10 connects to N10 and N9 is left with a single liberty at O9. Playing O9 directly would let White connect solidly at M9 and split N10 from N8, so M9 is the stronger shape. This keeps the centre and right side under Black's control and the N7–N8 cutting stones safe. 108 O8 Captured 1. O8 captures Black’s N8 stone and rescues N9 from atari while opening a connection to my M8–N7 group. If Black plays O9 to threaten N9 again, N8 connects all these white stones securely. This is stronger than extending at O9, which would let Black save N8 with O8. 109 O9 White's N9 and O8 stones share only two liberties (O9 and N8), and the black O7/P8 stones are not yet connected. Black O9 puts both white stones in atari, forcing White N8 to connect; N8 itself is illegal for Black (suicide) so O9 is the only way to press. After W N8 I follow with P7 to solidify O7-P8, and O9 also seals the right-center area where White would otherwise push through O9/O10. Playing P7 first would let White take O9 themselves, so I take the double-purpose forcing point now. 110 N8 N8 rescues both N9 and O8 from atari and connects them securely to M8 and N7, while keeping Black’s nearby stones separated. If Black plays P7 to connect O7 and P8, I can answer O6, strengthening my lower group while restricting Black’s expansion. This urgent connection is worth more than a large move elsewhere, which would allow Black to capture both threatened stones at N8. 111 T18 The white top-right group (Q18, R18, S18, Q17, R17) has only three liberties: R19, S19 and T18. Playing T18 reduces it to two with no eye space: if White R19 (atari on Q19) I connect at P19 and capture at S19; if White S19 I play T19 and White's R19 is then suicide, so P19 is answered by R19 capturing everything. White's N8 connection made the center white group solid and nothing of mine there is in immediate atari, so this kill is far larger than any center move and also secures the corner for my large right-side group. 112 F14 F14 connects to E14 and F15 while strengthening White’s upper-left position and pressing Black’s E13–D13 chain. If Black extends at F13, I can answer G13, keeping my stones connected while developing toward the center. I prefer this multipurpose move to R19, which would leave the upper-right white group with only S19 as a liberty and allow Black to capture it there. 113 F13 White's F14 pushes toward the open area between my left group (C14-E13), my center group (K14-M13) and the lower stones H10/E11, which is Black's largest remaining potential territory; F13 solidly blocks that advance, removes any aji against E13/E12, and keeps a continuous wall facing the center. I considered taking the open lower-center first (around J8/K8) since that area is also contested, but if I ignore F14 White's F13 followed by G12 or E12 pushes deep into my framework while also loosening the connection toward K14. The top-right white group (Q17-S18) has only R19/S19 and cannot live or escape, so no move is needed there yet. 114 G16 G16 strengthens the upper-left stones while extending toward J16 and the large open upper side. If Black presses at G14, H16 connects this extension to J16; if Black cuts at E16 instead, F16 joins my left-side stones. I prefer this to answering directly at G14 because it improves connectivity and develops more useful space above Black’s wall. 115 H14 The top-right white corner group (Q17-S18) has only three outside liberties and no eye space, so it is already dead and needs no move; the lower-left black stones are also safe for now (White C2 or B2 can be captured). The game hinges on the open center (roughly E-L, rows 8-12), where White's strongest entry is pushing down from the G16/F14 wall with G14-H14-J14 in sente. H14 blocks that line while forming good shape with F13 (knight's move) and K14 (one-point jump); if White pushes G14 I answer G13, and a White cut at J14/J15 only gives Black a solid J13 wall. I preferred this over E9/D9 against D10 because White's reductions from the strong top wall are free for White, whereas pushes from the weak D10 stone can later be answered with attacking moves. 116 H16 H16 connects G16 to the large J16–O17 group and prevents Black from wedging between them. If Black cuts at G15, F16 connects F17 and the left-hand white stones into this same group, leaving the cutting stone with only G14 and H15 as liberties. I prefer H16 to F16 immediately, which would allow Black H16 to separate the upper groups. 117 R19 The white top-right group (Q18, R18, S18, Q17, R17) has only two liberties, R19 and S19, while my Q19 stone has P19 and R19. If I ignore this, White plays P19 and lives by capturing after R19/S19 exchanges. Black R19 reduces White to one liberty: if White S19 (atari on Q19-R19), Black T19 captures everything; if White P19, Black S19 captures. This kills five stones and secures the whole top-right corner, far bigger than responding locally to H16, where my H14/F13 stones are not in immediate danger. 118 C11 C11 develops the open left side, supports D10, and works with C8 while limiting Black’s expansion from E11. If Black presses with D11, I can connect at C10 rather than leave D10 isolated. The white stones around R18 cannot be saved by S19, since Black can capture at T19, so I prefer strengthening the left side to adding stones to that doomed group. 119 O12 The five White stones at Q17-S18 are already dead (two liberties, no escape), so no move is needed there yet. The biggest open issue is the right side: Black's framework from P14 down to Q4 is open around rows 11-13, and White could slide in via O13/P12 or invade around R12. O12 closes that gap, links N13 to N10/O9 and turns the whole area east of the O column into solid Black territory, which is worth more than the center-left skirmish around E11/D10 where White's C11 just reinforced. If White then reduces the center from F12 or G14, Black still has E12/G13 to answer while keeping a large secure lead on the right. 120 L12 L12 puts pressure on Black’s K14–N13 group while making it harder to connect toward N10 and expanding White’s central influence. If Black pushes at L13, K12 keeps my stones connected with room to extend toward K11 or J12. D18 would consolidate the upper-left corner, but I prefer to contest the open center while Black’s stones there remain unsettled. 121 K11 White's L12 is an invasion of my center; its escape routes are up through J13-J14 (where my K14/K15/L14/H14 wall is strong and J14 seals it in one move) or down through K10-K9 toward K6. I block the weaker lower side with K11, which works with H10 and L9 and leaves L12 with little room: if White runs L11/M11 I answer L10/M10 along my L9-N10 stones, and if White tries K12-K13 I follow with K13/J13 and the chain runs out of liberties before reaching J15. K13 would seal the top instead but let White slide down into the thinner J9-K8 gap, so K11 is the better block. 122 O6 O6 strengthens the right edge of my central group and puts Black’s O7 stone in atari, with P7 its only remaining liberty. If Black connects at P7, O5 links toward my O4 group while putting pressure on P5. This gains a useful boundary and improves my connections, whereas answering K11 directly would invest more moves in the isolated L12 stone. 123 P7 White's O6 puts my O7 stone in atari (its only liberty is P7). Letting White capture with P7 would break into my lower-right territory and expose P8, so saving it is urgent and concrete. P7 connects O7 to P8 with plenty of liberties (P6, Q7, Q8, P9) and keeps the wall from O9/P8 down to P5/Q4 intact. The dead White stones at Q17-S18 have only R19/S19 as liberties and cannot escape, so I don't need to spend a move there now. 124 F9 F9 develops the open left-center, supports C8 and D10, and limits Black’s expansion from E11 and H10. If Black presses with F10, I can answer E9, keeping room to connect toward D9 or extend through F8. P6 would tighten the lower-right boundary, but F9 offers broader development while my lower group has ample liberties. 125 E10 The largest unsettled area is White's left/center zone, where F9 is a lone reduction stone and D10/C11 are thin; my groups elsewhere (the big right side with the dead Q17–S18 stones, the K14 center group connected via O13, the bottom F3–K5 group with eye space on rows 1–2) are sound, so I should reduce safely rather than invade deeply. E10 connects E11 downward (E11 is already linked to E13 through E12), presses D10 to three liberties, and threatens to cut F9 off from the left stones. If White blocks at E9 I follow with F10, securing the center around F10–J13; if White hanes at F10 instead, E9 cuts and leaves both D10 and F9/F10 weak. A deeper move like E9 or G8 risks being cut off (e.g., E9 then W E10), which is unnecessary when the position favours Black. 126 D11 D11 connects C11 and D10, giving these loose stones a stronger group while contesting Black’s left-side expansion. If Black continues with E9 to pressure F9, I can extend at F8 without having to rescue D10 separately. I prefer this consolidation to F10, which attacks E10 but leaves my left-side stones disconnected. 127 D12 Black is comfortably ahead (the Q18 white group is dead with only R19/S19 liberties, and the right side is large), so I want to play solidly. White's D11 aims at D12, which would separate the eyeless C14–F13 group from E11/E10 and let White push into C13. D12 connects D13 to E11 directly, keeps the left group tied to the center, reduces the C11/D11/D10 stones to C12, C10, D9, B11 liberties, and secures the area around C13. I preferred it over the more aggressive C12, which White could answer at D12 and complicate; E9 or O13 are smaller and not urgent. 128 F16 F16 connects the D17–F14 group and F17 to the larger white chain at G16, removing an important cutting point and strengthening the entire upper position. If Black attacks the C11–D10 stones with D9, White can extend at C10 toward C8. I prefer this connection to playing D9 immediately, which would leave Black the valuable separating move at F16. 129 L13 The white Q17–S18 group in the upper right already has only the liberties R19 and S19 and cannot escape, so no move is needed there. The urgent area is the center: the lone white cutting stone at L12 threatens to split my K14–N13 group from the lower center (L9/M9/N10/K11) and disrupt a large black area. L13 solidly connects K14 to M13, leaves L12 with just K12/M12/L11 as liberties deep inside black strength, and makes the O13 cut fail (O13 would have only P13 as a liberty). If White runs with L11, I can continue M11/L10 and chase the stone toward H10/E10 where I am strong; compared with a looser attack like K12, L13 avoids giving White forcing cuts at L13/K13. 130 L11 L11 connects L12 to the center and gives that isolated stone an escape route while putting pressure on Black’s L9–M9 stones. If Black replies at K10, I can extend to L10, reducing that pair’s liberties and developing toward my strong lower group. I prefer this multipurpose move to G14, which strengthens my upper stones but leaves L12 isolated. 131 L10 White's L12-L11 stones are floating inside my sphere with liberties K12, M12, M11, L10; their only route to the M8/N9 group runs through L10/M10. Playing L10 blocks that connection, links L9-M9 toward K11 and N10, and leaves the white pair with no base. If White answers K12 to pressure K11, I extend K10 and my center stones become one solid group with White's K12-L12-L11 cut off and eyeless; if White instead plays M12, N12 then M10 keeps them at two liberties with only a bad ladder-like escape. I preferred this to M12 or K12 because those let White slip toward the bottom via L10 and keep the fight unclear. 132 K12 K12 extends the L11–L12 stones toward the open center and prevents Black from sealing them in with K12. If Black blocks at J12, I can turn toward M11, gaining liberties and keeping pressure on the nearby black stones. I prefer this connected extension to M12, which heads toward Black’s N13 and O12, or a large move on the upper side that leaves these stones surrounded. 133 J12 White's K12-L12-L11 stones are cut off from the top (K13/M12/M11 are their only liberties besides J12), and J12 is their only escape route toward the open left-center. Black J12 blocks that route while staying linked to K11; if White ataris with K10, I extend K10/J11 and my group has plenty of liberties, while White's chain still has only K13, M12, M11, all running into my strong L13-M13-N13 wall. I read the follow-ups (W K13, B J13; W M12, B M11/N12) and White ends in atari at the edge of my shape each time, so this is better than the slower M12 or the passive K10, and the dead Q17 group needs no move now. 134 M11 M11 strengthens K12–L12–L11 and gives these stones a route into the open center. If Black blocks at M12, White can extend at N11, retaining access toward O11 rather than being confined beneath Black’s upper wall. I prefer this to K13, which presses Black’s stones but does less to secure our own group. 135 N11 White's cut-off group K12-L12-L11-M11 has only four liberties (K13, M12, N11, M10) and is trying to escape through N11 toward my thin N10/O12 stones. Playing N11 removes that exit, connects N10 with O12, and leaves White only dead-end liberties: if W K13 I answer J13, if W M12 I play N12 (atari), and M10 gains no liberties since L10, M9 and N10 are mine. I preferred this to K13 because N11 also removes the N10 weakness, while K13 lets White play N11 and start complications around O10/O11 before dying. 136 J13 J13 offers the pressured K12–M11 stones a route out through K13 while establishing a useful foothold toward the upper center. If Black blocks at K13, I can extend to J14 rather than add more stones to the cramped group through M12. I prefer this flexible move to K13 immediately, where Black’s J13 reply seals off the escape route. 137 K13 White's K12-L12-L11-M11 chain has only three liberties (K13, M12, M10), and K13 is the vital point: it stops J13 from linking to those stones and leaves the chain with only the dead-end liberties M12 and M10 (M10 gains nothing since L10, N10, M9 are all Black). If White plays M12, Black N12 puts the chain in atari with no escape; if White instead ataris J12 or K11 with J11, Black simply plays M12 and captures the four stones, a far bigger gain. Playing M12 first would be worse because White K13 would connect out to J13 and threaten J12. 138 J11 J11 puts both J12 and K11 in atari, creating a way to rescue the cramped K12–M11 group. If Black connects at K10, H12 captures J12 and opens liberties for both K12 and J13; if Black saves J12 with H12, K10 captures K11 instead. This is stronger than M12, where Black’s N12 leaves the central white stones with no viable escape. 139 K10 White's J11 is a double atari on K11 and J12, but White's own four stones K12-L12-L11-M11 have only two liberties (M12, M10) and no escape since M10 is surrounded by my L10/N10/M9 stones. Connecting at K10 saves K11 and joins it to the large K10-L10-L9-M9-N9-N10-N11 group, after which White's four stones cannot gain liberties (M12 only reaches N12 and gets captured, M10 is suicide), so they are dead. Giving up the single stone J12 to White's H12 is a small price; M12 instead would let White capture K11 with K10 and escape, and H12 would likewise let the center group live. 140 H12 Captured 1. H12 captures the black stone at J12, opening a vital liberty for the K12–M11 white group and preparing to connect it with J11 and J13. If Black presses with M12, I can play J12 to join these stones to H12 and gain several outside liberties. This is much stronger than extending at M12 immediately, which Black can answer with N12 to leave the group trapped. 141 M12 White's K12-L12-L11-M11 group has only three liberties (J12, M12, M10), and White's last move H12 captured J12, so White is trying to link J13/J11/H12 with it via J12. M12 puts the four stones in atari while connecting my K13–N13 group to O12 and sealing the N12 boundary; M10 would add nothing for White, so White must answer J12 (or lose four stones). After White J12 I keep sente and can follow with J14 to cut the center group from the top white wall, keeping my upper-center stones solid. Attempting J12 myself is suicide, so M12 is the clean forcing move. 142 J12 J12 saves the four-stone K12–M11 group, whose only liberties are J12 and M10, and connects it with H12, J11, and J13. If Black blocks at H13, I can extend at H11 to gain liberties and room toward the left. M10 would leave the group in atari, while playing elsewhere would allow Black J12 to capture it immediately. 143 J14 White's J12 connected the H12-L12 string into one group with liberties at G12, H13, H11, J14, J10 and M10. My upper group (K13–N13, K14–M14, K15, M12) is short of liberties but is effectively linked to the lower group at N12, since a White stone at N12 would be suicide and O13 can be captured at P13. So the active move is J14: it connects H14 to K14, removes a White liberty, and blocks White's only route to link up with the J16/K16 wall via J14–J15. If White answers H13, I can press with G13 using the D12–F13 wall; if White instead plays M10, my lower group still has ample liberties and N12 remains available. 144 G12 G12 strengthens the central White group at H12–M11 and opens routes toward F12 and G11 rather than letting Black tighten the surrounding net. If Black blocks at G13, I can extend to F12; if Black presses at H11, G11 keeps the group connected and moving outward. J10 would pressure Black’s lower central stones, but G12 provides more liberties and a broader escape route, which is more important than a large move on the open right side. 145 G13 White's center group (G12-M11, 9 stones, 7 liberties) is cut off and must either connect to the top via G13-G14 or run down through G11/F11. G13 blocks the direct connection to F14; if White ataris with H13 I extend to G14 and remain connected to H14. If White runs with G11, I block at G10, then F10/E12 against F11/F12, and the group is left with only H11, M10, J10 as liberties while my E10/E11, H10 and K10 groups all keep more. I checked that White's M10 cut is answered by J10, connecting K10 to H10 with ample liberties, so the safe M10 connection is unnecessary and would let White link up at G13-G14. 146 J10 J10 extends the central White group toward open space while preventing Black from connecting H10 to K10. If Black answers at K9, I can continue at J9, keeping an escape route and pressure on Black’s central stones. I prefer this to G11 because it strengthens White while also denying Black an important connection. 147 M10 White's J10 reduced my K11-K10-L10-L9-M9 group to just two liberties (K9 and M10); if White plays M10 next, that group is in atari and collapses. Black M10 connects it to N10/N11, keeps the white center group (J13-J12-H12-G12-K12-L12-L11-M11-J11-J10) cut off with only five liberties (H13, F12, G11, H11, J9), and leaves my enlarged group with room toward O11/O12 and the right side. K9 instead would let White connect at M10 and still leave me weak, so M10 is the vital point for both sides. 148 G11 G11 gives the central white group more room and an escape route toward F9, while keeping pressure on Black’s E10–E11 stones. If Black wedges at H11, I can extend at G10, maintaining connection to G12 and opening toward the lower-left. I prefer this to J9, which leads into a narrower corridor beside Black’s L9–M10 group. 149 G10 White's central chain (G12-L12, G11, J11, J10, J13, L11, M11) has only six liberties and no eyes; its escape routes are west toward F9 via F10/G10 and south via J9. G10 blocks the western route while connecting my H10 stone (which was down to three liberties after G11), so White cannot play G10 to atari H10/H11 later. If White answers F10, I play F11 and my E10-E11 stones link toward the strong D12-G13 wall, leaving White's chain with few liberties; if White runs at J9 instead, I can block at J8/H9 while my K10 group stays connected to the top through N12. I preferred this to the immediate H11 liberty-reduction, which lets White G10 atari H10-H11 and turn the race around. 150 J9 J9 gives the central white group an escape route while preserving its potential eye at H11. If Black blocks at J8, I can turn at H9; even after G9, H8 opens a route toward my lower-side stones. I prefer this to F11, which leaves the group cramped against Black’s stones on the left. 151 H9 The close fight is around White's central group (G12–L12, J9–J13, L11–M11) and my weak G10/H10 stones. White's J9 threatens H9, which would leave G10/H10 with few liberties and let White both connect to J6 and capture in the center. H9 attaches to J9, gives my stones four liberties with access to the open G/H 7–8 area, and keeps F10/E12 as a solid link back to E10/E11 and the D12 group (White E12 would be self-atari). I rejected the cut at J8 because W H9 then leaves J8 and G10/H10 both short of liberties; after H9, if White connects with J8 or plays H11, I follow with F10 and then reduce from H8/G8. 152 J8 J8 extends the central white group toward the connected stones on the sixth row, preventing Black from sealing it in after H9. If Black blocks at J7, I can turn to K8 toward M8; if Black plays K8, J7 connects directly to J6. This is more urgent than a side endgame move because the central group does not yet have secure eyes. 153 F10 The top-right white stones (Q17-S18) have only R19/S19 as liberties and cannot escape even if White moves first there, so no move is needed there yet. The urgent point is the center: White's F10 would cut G10/H10/H9 off from E10/E11 and win them with a liberty race against the white center group (which can always connect out via J7/K8). Black F10 links the five stones into one string that connects to the living left/top group through the E12/F12 miai (white E12 is self-atari), removing White's main target while keeping pressure on White's eyeless center stones. Alternatives like H8 or J7 fail because White simply answers F10 and wins the race. 154 J7 J7 connects the central J8–J12 chain directly to the large lower White group, removing the danger of its being surrounded while strengthening the lower-center boundary. If Black pushes at H8, H7 connects to both J7 and H6 and limits further penetration. This is more important than F8 to support the isolated F9 stone, which still has three liberties. 155 P3 The center fight is settled: White's J7 connected its central chain to the live bottom group, and Black's groups remain linked through miai points (E12 for the E10-H9 stones, H13/G14 between the left wall and the H14 group, N12/O13 where White cannot even play). The game is now a close endgame, so I compare the biggest boundary moves: P3 in the lower right prevents White's sente P3 followed by a Q3 corner intrusion, which is worth more than the center points around H8/K8 or the left-side reductions at C12/B17. After B P3, W P2 (atari) B Q3 holds the corner cleanly and leaves Q2 as a follow-up. This reverse-sente move secures roughly the largest swing available. 156 O5 O5 connects the N4–P4 and O3 stones directly to the strong central White group while restricting Black’s P5 stone, which has only P6 and Q5 as liberties afterward. If Black extends at P6, White can play Q3 to pressure P3 and expand along the lower-right side. I prefer O5 to immediately attacking at Q3 because it secures the connection first and prevents Black from cutting through O5. 157 P2 White's O5 solidified the lower-right white chain, and the real follow-up threat is W P2, atari on P3, which would force Q3 and let White slide into P1/Q1/Q2 in sente—a swing of roughly eight points in my corner. Black P2 blocks that in reverse sente: after W O2 the P2-P3 stones have four liberties and the whole lower-right edge becomes secure black area, with Q3/Q5 available later against P6 or Q2 intrusions. I compared C12 (sealing the left edge and squeezing the C11-D11-D10 stones) and H13 (connecting the center groups), but both are smaller swings and my groups there already have ample liberties, so with a comfortable lead the biggest safe boundary comes first. 158 K18 K18 develops the largest open area, using the white stones at F17, K16, and O17 to build territory along the top. If Black approaches at M18, I can answer at M17, connecting to L16 and limiting the intrusion. O2 would secure the lower-right boundary, but it is smaller than establishing control of the upper side now. 159 C12 White's K18 needs no answer: the Q17/R17/Q18/R18/S18 stones are already dead (only R19/S19 remain and White cannot make an eye there), and all my groups—the right side, the K10–N11 center group (N12/O11 connection miai), the top-center/left mass (G14/H13 miai), and the bottom group with eyes at G3 and J4—are safe. The largest open area is the left side between my C14–C17 wall and White's thin C11/D11/D10 stones. C12 extends solidly from D12, secures B12–B13/C13, and reduces that white group to three liberties (B11, C10, D9), so White must respond with something like D9 or C10 while I keep the initiative; this is worth more than gote reductions like O2 or O18. 160 D9 D9 strengthens the C11–D11–D10 group while expanding into the open left side and limiting Black’s E10 group. If Black pushes at E9, D8 connects to C8 and gives these stones more room to settle. I prefer this multipurpose move to attacking at G9, which would leave the left-side group less secure.
Reasoning
D9 strengthens the C11–D11–D10 group while expanding into the open left side and limiting Black’s E10 group. If Black pushes at E9, D8 connects to C8 and gives these stones more room to settle. I prefer this multipurpose move to attacking at G9, which would leave the left-side group less secure.
