(;C[This game was played in 1996 on Richard's Email
server; part of the first LOA round robin tournament.

Comments by ddyer.

]
GC[LoA Board 306]
GN[LoA Board 306]
PW[charly]
PB[ddyer]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[C8-C6]
;C[]
W[H2-F2]
;C[]
B[G1-G3]
;C[this early capture is usually not good, since black
would probably have had to move the victim eventually.
]
W[A3-C1]
;C[]
B[G8-G6]
;C[]
W[A4-C2]
;C[escaping
]
B[B1-B3]
;C[threatening a blockage; but white doesn't have
the capability of closing it.]
W[A2-D2]
;C[]
B[F1-D3]
;C[]
W[A7-C5]
;C[]
B[E1-E3]
;C[]
W[A5-C3]
;C[]
B[B3-C4]
;C[]
W[H5-F5]
;C[]
B[D1-E2]
;C[definitely a mistake to offer such a perfect target.  White's
best bet at this point would have been to develop an attack
on C4, while keeping black separated; Perhaps starting
with F5-D5. ]
W[C5-E5]
;C[black firmly controls the center; white is severly separated.
]
B[B8-E5]
;C[]
W[H4-F4]
;C[white's woundl-be blockaders are now blockaded.
]
B[E5-C3]
;C[]
W[C1-D1]
;C[moving in to guard E1
]
B[E8-E5]
;C[uncovering attack H6:E3
]
W[F4-D4]
;C[blocking the attack
]
B[G3-G5]
;C[]
W[D4-F4]
;C[it's now a simple (and one sided) race to connect.
]
B[D8-D4]
;C[]
W[H7-H4]
;C[]
B[G6-G4]
;C[]
W[A6-A5]
;C[]
B[C6-B5]
;C[]
W[H6-G6]
;C[]
B[F8-E8]
;C[]
W[G6-F6]
;C[]
B[E8-E4]
;C[]
W[H3-H5]
;C[]
B[C3-F3]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 on Richard's Email
server; part of the first LOA round robin tournament.

Comments by ddyer.
]
GC[LoA Board 314]
GN[LoA Board 314]
PW[ddyer]
PB[sbateman]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[C1-C3]
;C[]
W[A2-C4]
;C[]
B[F1-C4]
;C[]
W[A6-C4]
;C[This presumably looks toward a block against
the left side.  Attaining and maintaining the block
will be difficult.]
B[E1-B4]
;C[This does a lot to negate the threat of the block.  The
three stones at the left are now free to "slide" to
escape the block,   C3 is under attack from C7,
D8 is blocked from moving in, and A5 has a handy
escape/threat.]
W[A7-C7]
;C[]
B[D8-D6]
;C[My strategy strongly favors taking "free" captures
such as this one. There really are no negatives to
this move: it moves H2 a long way toward the center,
and it restricts the mobility of Black at B4 and F8.]
W[H2-D6]
;C[]
B[D1-B3]
;C[This move guards against B2-B5, which would
complete the block.]
W[H3-F5]
;C[This is a key move in the development of the game.  Control
over column E is essential to keep white's stones separated.
]
B[C8-E6]
;C[Unlike the previous case, H6:E6 would be subject to 
recapture by E8:E6.  Preventing A3 from becoming
isolated is more important.  This also overloads the
threats on E6 in White's favor.]
W[A3-A6]
;C[Good move on the contest for E6; it shifts the balance
of threats decisively in Blacks favor.  Unfortunately,
it's can be captured (A6:C4) which would severly 
restrict the mobility of black's remaining stones toward
their mutual center.
]
B[G8-C4]
;C[Black's pieces on rows 6 and 8 are severly restricted
from moving in the desirable direction.  Black's control
of  E6 is doubtful - after A6:E6 E8:E6 H6:E6 white would
be in good position to connect.
]
W[A5-D5]
;C[This is definitely a mistake; white gets E6, and control
of the center, for free.]
B[G1-E1]
;C[This move wouldn't have been nearly as good an idea 
without help from Black's previous move.  Suddenly,
white looks nearly connected.]
W[A6-E6]
;C[This completes the block on A4, but blacks three orphans
are a much more sever problem than white's one.]
B[B1-B5]
;C[]
W[H7-F7]
;C[]
B[B3-D3]
;C[Protecting F5 from D3:F5
]
W[H4-H7]
;C[Not a good move.  E8:A4 would be tantamount
to suicide, and if the line is othwise disturbed,
E8 would still be blocked from moving in that
direction.
]
B[C3-C6]
;C[Aiming for G8:B5.
]
W[H6-G5]
;C[]
B[E1-C3]
;C[As planned, but hurried.  H5-C5 first would have eliminated
the troubsome threat of C3:C7]
W[G5-B5]
;C[]
B[E8-E6]
;C[]
W[B5-B8]
;C[]
B[D3-B5]
;C[]
W[B8-B5]
;C[]
B[F8-E8]
;C[]
W[H7-E7]
;C[]
B[C3-C7]
;C[This is probably not the best move - capturing an orphan
is a risky line of play.  F7:C7 might be better.  At this point,
trading captures is not good for black; his material
disadvantage will become a serious problem.
]
W[H5-E8]
;C[]
B[B4-A5]
;C[Threatens to win, several ways.
]
W[A4-C4]
;C[]
B[C7-C4]
;C[Another threat to connect]
W[F5-E4]
;C[]
B[A5-B6]
;C[]
W[E4-C4]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer

]
GC[LoA Board 315]
GN[LoA Board 315]
PW[lgaum]
PB[ddyer]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[C8-C6]
;C[]
W[H2-F2]
;C[]
B[G1-G3]
;C[]
W[H7-F5]
;C[]
B[C1-C3]
;C[]
W[H6-E6]
;C[]
B[B1-B3]
;C[]
W[H4-F4]
;C[]
B[E1-B4]
;C[]
W[A7-C5]
;C[This blockade is potentially serious for white, especially
because a capture at A4 or A5 would leave two separate
blockaded groups.  On the other hand, the blockage is 
thin and, if cut, becomes a strong position for white.
]
B[E8-B5]
;C[]
W[A2-C2]
;C[]
B[F1-C4]
;C[]
W[H5-H7]
;C[Black's block is now looking pretty solid.]
B[C6-D5]
;C[]
W[H7-E4]
;C[this is probably a mistake.  Moving in with D1-D4 would
have been better.
]
B[C3-D4]
;C[Threatening to cut with E8:B5]
W[E6-E8]
;C[This isn't ideal, as it weakens the blockade and removes
a white orphan; but allowing the reverse capture (E8:B5)
would have been much worse.]
B[B5-E8]
;C[A6:C4 might have been better, but this is a very good 
move.  Control over row D is shaping up as the central
fight.]
W[H3-G2]
;C[]
B[D1-E2]
;C[uncovers another attack on D5]
W[F5-E6]
;C[]
B[E2-B5]
;C[This blocks D8 coverage for D5, so G2:D5 is a credible
threat.]
W[E6-D7]
;C[This looks like a strange move.  Black seems to have
abandoned his recently-completed blockade,
for no particular purpose.   The key consideration
is that it is the only effective way to maintain recapture
coverage on D5.  Even so, black's position is seriously
weakened.]
B[B3-E3]
;C[]
W[F4-F7]
;C[Better to run away than to sit and be captured in such 
a central position.]
B[D5-H5]
;C[Black's position continues to decay.  Control over column
D is crucual, and black is on the verge of losing it.]
W[F7-C4]
;C[At this point, black's threat to capture E8:A4 should
be white's primary concern.]
B[D4-D7]
;C[This is a poor choice. D2 is too close in to be of any
further use to the blocked group at the left.  A better
choice would be G2-F1, threatening F1:B5]
W[G2-D2]
;C[trying to re-establish the blockade.]
B[E3-B3]
;C[]
W[A6-A2]
;C[This disconnection really hurts white.  Row 4 and diagonal
E1-A5 are too congested to make a recapture likely.]
B[E8-A4]
;C[]
W[C4-C1]
;C[maintaining the congestion.
]
B[D7-D4]
;C[]
W[A5-C7]
;C[]
B[G8-C8]
;C[]
W[C1-B1]
;C[]
B[B5-C4]
;C[]
W[D2-B4]
;C[]
B[B8-B4]
;C[]
W[C7-E5]
;C[]
B[G3-D3]
;C[]
W[B1-A1]
;C[Black plays to maintain the separation of white into two
halves.  White's corner group's mobility is severely 
restricted, and his outside groups have a long way
to travel.   This strategy for Black is fragile; any break
in the blocking group is likely to be fatal.  The existance 
and mobility of the outlying black stones is crucual.]
B[F8-F6]
;C[]
W[C5-F5]
;C[]
B[C8-C5]
;C[]
W[E5-F4]
;C[]
B[D8-D5]
;C[]
W[E4-E3]
;C[]
B[H5-G6]
;C[]
W[F2-F6]
;C[this end-run is unstoppable.
]
B[G6-F7]
;C[]
W[F5-E6]
;C[]
B[F7-E7]
;C[]
W[Resign]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer
]
GC[LoA Board 316]
GN[LoA Board 316]
PW[sbateman]
PB[mburke]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[F1-F3]
;C[]
W[A3-D3]
;C[]
B[C8-C6]
;C[]
W[H7-E4]
;C[]
B[C1-C3]
;C[]
W[A4-D4]
;C[White's clluster in the center is potentially strong.  I would
have played G1:D4. This move is a pointless giveaway.
Perhaps the losing move.]
B[E8-E5]
;C[]
W[H2-E5]
;C[Good, but it would have been much better without the
previous exchange.
]
B[G1-D4]
;C[]
W[A6-C4]
;C[]
B[E1-E4]
;C[]
W[A2-D5]
;C[]
B[G8-D5]
;C[]
W[H5-D5]
;C[Threatening C8:C4, but pointlessly.  White is forced to make
a move he would want to make anyway, and black's position
is not improved by the net result.  Preventing A7-C5 should
be the highest priority.]
B[F8-C8]
;C[White moves in. (& presumably thanks black for forcing him
to do it)]
W[A7-C5]
;C[]
B[D8-B6]
;C[]
W[A5-C3]
;C[Black's four stones in rows 5-8 have a long way to go
to connect, and there are no effective lines of attack
on white's center.]
B[B8-B5]
;C[]
W[H3-F5]
;C[]
B[F3-F5]
;C[]
W[H4-G5]
;C[]
B[C8-E6]
;C[]
W[H6-F4]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
PBEM round robin LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer.

]
GC[LoA Board 317]
GN[LoA Board 317]
PW[sbateman]
PB[meikel]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[  ]
B[F8-F6]
;C[White offers a gift.  I would take it.]
W[A6-D6]
;C[Black declines.]
B[G8-E6]
;C[Another gift.  E1:E5 H5:E5 E8:E5.]
W[H2-E5]
;C[Declined again.  These are not necessarily bad choices,
but I believe it is generally good to gain a material 
advantage in the early stages, if it can be done by 
capturing stones that have been moved.
]
B[C8-F5]
;C[]
W[A3-C5]
;C[Black has good blocking position, but this move
is premature.  Protecting F5 is more urgent. E1:E5
would do this nicely.
]
B[F1-F4]
;C[Ouch!  White seizes control of the center, and black
has no satisfactory recourse.]
W[A5-F5]
;C[]
B[D8-G5]
;C[]
W[A2-A5]
;C[]
B[E1-E5]
;C[]
W[H3-E6]
;C[]
B[E8-G6]
;C[]
W[H7-F7]
;C[The position has become chaotic, with both players 
jockeying for position bearing on the center.]
B[B1-B3]
;C[]
W[F7-C4]
;C[]
B[C1-C4]
;C[]
W[E6-G4]
;C[]
B[D1-D3]
;C[]
W[H6-H3]
;C[]
B[B8-C8]
;C[]
W[C5-F2]
;C[]
B[G1-H2]
;C[]
W[A7-B8]
;C[]
B[H2-F2]
;C[]
W[H5-F3]
;C[]
B[F2-E3]
;C[]
W[A5-E5]
;C[playing E3:E5 immediately would be better.   Column E
is becoming congested.]
B[C8-E8]
;C[]
W[H3-E6]
;C[The final race to connect starts; both players have
credible threats.]
B[E8-C6]
;C[Black's threat is short-lived.  White's combination
is devastating.  A4:C6 is threatened, and blacks 
opportunities to block it are few.  On the other
hand, the rest of White's position is uncuttable,
so no counterattack is possible.]
W[B8-F4]
;C[]
B[D3-B5]
;C[]
W[H4-C4]
;C[]
B[C6-C4]
;C[G4:C4 would be better.]
W[F5-B5]
;C[]
B[B3-B5]
;C[]
W[D6-D5]
;C[]
B[G6-F5]
;C[]
W[G4-C4]
;C[]
B[Resign]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer
]
GC[LoA Board 318]
GN[LoA Board 318]
PW[charly]
PB[sbateman]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[B1-B3]
;C[]
W[H2-F2]
;C[]
B[G1-G3]
;C[]
W[A2-C2]
;C[]
B[C8-C5]
;C[This looks like a gift to black, who can jump into the 
center with B8:E5
]
W[H7-H2]
;C[This is also a good choice.  Occupying the center, 
blocking white mobility toward the center, and retaining
good mobility.]
B[C1-E3]
;C[]
W[A6-C4]
;C[]
B[F1-D3]
;C[]
W[H2-E2]
;C[]
B[B8-D6]
;C[White has now moved this piece three times.  The best that
can be said is that this is an ineffecient use of moves.]
W[E2-B2]
;C[]
B[G3-A3]
;C[]
W[H6-H2]
;C[]
B[D6-D2]
;C[]
W[F2-F4]
;C[Ideal play;  Keep white separated and connect
at the same time.]
B[D8-D4]
;C[]
W[H2-D2]
;C[]
B[E8-E5]
;C[]
W[H4-F2]
;C[Black isn't worried about the possibility of a block against
D1 and E1.]
B[F8-F5]
;C[]
W[C4-F7]
;C[E1-E4 might be better.  The resulting position would be
extremely hard to disrupt.]
B[G8-G7]
;C[]
W[A4-D4]
;C[This is a poor choice.  Given the opportunity,
moving out is  a better choice than breaking in.]
B[E5-E2]
;C[Black's position still looks good, despite the blocked
pieces in row 1.  White is scattered, the blockade is 
breakable, and black's one orphan is easily reconnectable.]
W[H5-E2]
;C[It would have been much better to play G7:D4 first.  The
blockade will remain breakable, but the opportunity to 
reconnect the orphan G7 is fleeting.]
B[F5-C2]
;C[This is a key move.  It's now very difficult for black to
connect G2 to his main group.]
W[B2-E5]
;C[It's unclear what plan this move supports.  Surely
black doesn't intend to march G7 down column G,
one move at a time!
]
B[A3-F3]
;C[]
W[H3-H2]
;C[Terrible choice.  Anything would be better than ignoring
the threat of H2:C2.   C2-E4 is probably the best of a bad
lot of choices.]
B[G7-F8]
;C[Suddenly, white looks very good.]
W[H2-C2]
;C[]
B[F8-D6]
;C[]
W[F7-F3]
;C[]
B[B3-F3]
;C[]
W[A5-A3]
;C[Another terrible mistake.  Black's position is converted
from bad to hopeless by A7:E3
]
B[C5-E5]
;C[]
W[A7-E3]
;C[]
B[Resign]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer unless otherwise noted.

\[sharkey: this one has a fun endgame\]]
GC[LoA Board 319]
GN[LoA Board 319]
PW[sbateman]
PB[sharkey]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[D1-B3]
;C[]
W[A4-C6]
;C[Black declines the proferred gift (E8:C6) and offers his
own gift in exchange.]
B[E1-C3]
;C[]
W[A5-C3]
;C[]
B[F1-D3]
;C[]
W[A6-C4]
;C[This is a reasonable development move, but I would have 
moved G8:C4.]
B[B1-B4]
;C[]
W[H5-F7]
;C[]
B[G1-E3]
;C[]
W[H6-F8]
;C[]
B[G8-G7]
;C[This capture is not a good idea.  It's true that it is a
connection, but it would have been more profitable
to threaten to turn B3 into a liability, perhaps with F8-C5]
W[F7-B3]
;C[]
B[C1-D1]
;C[]
W[H2-F4]
;C[This is a curious move, but not necessarily bad.  I would
have tried D1-D4]
B[D3-D6]
;C[White plays givaway.  Blocking black's progress
is a good idea, but C4-D3 would be more effective.
]
W[H4-D4]
;C[Black happily cooperates.]
B[D8-D4]
;C[]
W[A2-D5]
;C[Twice.

It appears that white was racing for connection without
considering the probable responses.  In any case, white's
position is nearly hopeless after these two captures.
]
B[D1-D5]
;C[]
W[H3-F5]
;C[\[sharkey: from this point on, each move was like a puzzle
 to find the right one reply leading to the eventual win.\]]
B[D4-D7]
;C[]
W[F4-F7]
;C[]
B[B4-F8]
;C[]
W[A3-D6]
;C[]
B[B8-D6]
;C[]
W[F5-F8]
;C[]
B[C8-F8]
;C[]
W[C3-E5]
;C[]
B[E3-C5]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer
]
GC[LoA Board 320]
GN[LoA Board 320]
PW[mburke]
PB[charly]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[B8-B6]
;C[]
W[H6-E6]
;C[]
B[B1-B3]
;C[]
W[H2-F2]
;C[]
B[G1-B1]
;C[]
W[A7-C7]
;C[]
B[G8-B8]
;C[]
W[H7-F7]
;C[]
B[F8-D6]
;SE[D8]
C[White should disrupt black's control of column B while
he has the chance.  F7:B3 would be a much better move.]
W[A2-C2]
;C[Similarly, moving in for the block is premature while B3
is undefended.  Slower development of some kind is
called for.]
B[B8-B4]
;C[]
W[A6-C4]
;C[]
B[B1-B5]
;C[I would have aimed at breaking the blockade, with 
H5:E8 and E8:B5, or directly with F8:B3.  As it is, this
blunder enables black to solidify his otherwise-fragile
blockade.]
W[H3-H6]
;C[This is black's decisive move, which white completely
overlooked.  Now F7:B3 is blocked, and  H5:E8 would 
be answered by E6:D2. Black's blockade is now hard
to break.]
B[C8-E6]
;C[]
W[H4-D4]
;C[At this point, with no credible threats to break the blockade,
all black has to do is collect in the center.
]
B[D8-D4]
;C[]
W[H6-F4]
;C[]
B[E8-E5]
;C[]
W[C7-C3]
;C[]
B[F1-C4]
;C[]
W[F4-D2]
;C[]
B[B6-B2]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer unless otherwise noted.
]
GC[LoA Board 321]
GN[LoA Board 321]
PW[mburke]
PB[sharkey]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[D1-B3]
;C[]
W[A7-C7]
;C[]
B[B1-B4]
;C[]
W[H3-E3]
;C[defends B3]
B[F1-D3]
;C[]
W[H7-F7]
;C[The best choice.  No good blocking moves were available.
G8-G6 was also a possibility, but A6-C4 would renew the
attack while developing white's position.]
B[B3-F7]
;C[]
W[A6-C6]
;C[Another good choice.  Black develops a piece
and at the same time elimininates one of white's
developed pieces.]
B[G1-E3]
;C[]
W[A2-D5]
;C[This is probably not the best choice, as column E is
now overcrowded.]
B[B4-E7]
;C[White takes advantage of the overcrowding.]
W[H5-E5]
;C[]
B[C1-C5]
;C[]
W[H6-F4]
;C[]
B[G8-D5]
;C[]
W[H4-E7]
;C[]
B[C8-D7]
;C[]
W[A3-D3]
;C[]
B[B8-A7]
;C[\[sharkey: I was unpleasantly surprised by this.\]]
W[H2-D6]
;C[\[sharkey: E1:E5 isn't so looks like a good threat,
but isn't because F4:F7 is crippling\]
\[ddyer: agreed, after  F4:F7 it's anybody's game.\]
]
B[E3-B6]
;C[Both players are nearly connected, and any slip is likely to
be fatal.   This doesn't look like the best possible move.
F4-E3 looks particularly good, as it blocks E1 and threatens
 to disconnect E3:E8
]
W[A4-C4]
;C[\[sharkey: this eliminates the thread posed by F4:F7
keeps A5 isolated, and threatens to connect all but
one stone with C4-E6.\]]
B[F7-C4]
;C[]
W[D3-E4]
;C[Threatening connection with D1:D6]
B[E1-D1]
;C[Not responsive to the threat, though several are possible.
White is either asleep or has given up.  Too bad, the
result is far from certain.
]
W[A5-A7]
;C[]
B[D1-D6]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer

]
GC[LoA Board 322]
GN[LoA Board 322]
PW[lgaum]
PB[sbateman]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[D1-B3]
;C[]
W[H6-F6]
;C[]
B[C1-A3]
;C[]
W[H2-F4]
;C[]
B[B1-B4]
;C[]
W[A5-C7]
;C[]
B[B8-B5]
;C[F4:B4 would be a better idea.  The opportunity to
capture and break the blockage can be fleeting.]
W[H3-F5]
;C[Black closes the door.   The block is now very hard to
break; the alternative of moving A4 and A2 arouind it
will cost several moves.]
B[F1-C4]
;C[]
W[H4-C4]
;C[]
B[G8-C4]
;C[]
W[A6-C6]
;C[]
B[E1-C3]
;C[Black's block on A2 and A4 is too strong to ignore, but
this move pretty much ignores it.]
W[H7-E7]
;C[]
B[F8-B8]
;C[]
W[F5-F2]
;C[]
B[G1-G2]
;C[Good idea, but too slow.  Obstructing black's progress
should take precedence.  F6:F3 looks likely.
]
W[A2-D2]
;C[]
B[G2-E4]
;C[]
W[C6-E6]
;C[Black is now unstoppable.]
B[C3-C7]
;C[]
W[F4-C7]
;C[]
B[C4-C7]
;C[]
W[D2-D4]
;C[A3-D6 would be my choice, probably quicker, but at
this point all black has to do is be simple and not let
white get concentrated.
]
B[E4-D5]
;C[]
W[E7-B4]
;C[]
B[B8-B4]
;C[]
W[A7-C7]
;C[]
B[C8-E6]
;C[]
W[A4-A6]
;C[]
B[E8-C6]
;C[]
W[D4-B4]
;C[]
B[D8-D6]
;C[]
W[F2-E3]
;C[]
B[C6-C4]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer

]
GC[LoA Board 323]
GN[LoA Board 323]
PW[ddyer]
PB[meikel]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[G8-G6]
;C[]
W[H7-F7]
;C[]
B[D8-F6]
;C[I accept gifts in the opening]
W[H4-F6]
;C[]
B[F1-F5]
;C[This capture is Ok because it is part of a reasonable
development plan.]
W[A6-C8]
;C[]
B[B8-D6]
;C[Blocking black's advance, working on the wall.]
W[H6-F4]
;C[]
B[F8-C5]
;C[G6 is pretty isolated, and the wall containing it was built
without any explicit "wall building" moves.  Even if the 
wall is broken, white's development is OK.]
W[C8-F5]
;C[]
B[G1-D4]
;C[]
W[A3-C3]
;C[]
B[B1-E4]
;C[This is a serious blunder, as it enables D4:F6 .  One
of the hazards of building a wall is that lots of pieces
are effectively frozen in position, wall-tending.  A5 is
also locked in position, defending F5.
]
W[C3-E3]
;C[Capitalizing on white' s mistake.]
B[D4-F6]
;C[]
W[F7-D5]
;C[]
B[D1-D4]
;C[Forming a new and better wall.  Better because the lines
of attack are already crowded, and black's attacking 
stones are already too close-in to be effective.]
W[H2-E5]
;C[]
B[F6-E7]
;C[]
W[A5-C3]
;C[]
B[E1-C3]
;C[]
W[H5-C5]
;C[]
B[E8-F8]
;C[]
W[A2-C4]
;C[]
B[F8-F5]
;C[]
W[H3-F5]
;C[
In this position, I actually submitted E3:C3, intending
D1-D5 A7-D4  G6-E6  A4-B3.  Too late, I noticed that
G6-E6 wins!

In the event, I was saved by multiple incompetance;
I had forgotten to add my password to the move, so it
was rejected by the server, and I had the chance to 
correct my error.]
B[C1-D1]
;C[The hazard with this type of wall is that any breech is
likely to be fatal; if black breaks the wall, he
also becomes well-connected.

The other hazard to be aware of is to take extra care
when playing board games after drinking wine with dinner.]
W[C4-D3]
;C[]
B[D1-B3]
;C[Potentially a repeating pattern of moves, but Black
isn't interested.
]
W[D3-C4]
;C[]
B[D6-B6]
;C[]
W[A4-B5]
;C[]
B[E7-C5]
;C[]
W[A7-A6]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer

]
GC[LoA Board 324]
GN[LoA Board 324]
PW[lgaum]
PB[meikel]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[G8-E6]
;C[]
W[H6-E6]
;C[]
B[B8-D6]
;C[]
W[H7-F7]
;C[]
B[F8-C5]
;C[White's moves, while individually OK, are not helping
each other.  Black's opening moves have multiplied his
mobility.]
W[H3-F1]
;C[Black's opening moves are much more effective than
white's.  Black is well on the way to being connected,
and controls columns C and D well.]
B[G1-D4]
;C[At this point, white should try to restrict black's mobility
and connectivity.  A6:D6 looks like an effective move.]
W[A2-C2]
;C[]
B[C8-C4]
;C[A clear mistake; white blocks his own attack on D6,
which now not only helps black, but actively obstructs
white.
]
W[H4-F6]
;C[]
B[D8-B6]
;C[]
W[H5-E5]
;C[]
B[E8-C6]
;C[]
W[F1-C4]
;C[]
B[B6-B4]
;C[]
W[A3-B3]
;C[]
B[D6-D3]
;C[White looks nearly connected, but he has no way to occupy
the one connecting square, and no threats to make others.]
W[H2-F4]
;C[]
B[C1-E3]
;C[]
W[A7-A3]
;C[]
B[D1-E2]
;C[]
W[A4-D1]
;C[]
B[E2-C2]
;C[]
W[F6-G5]
;C[]
B[E1-F2]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer
]
GC[LoA Board 325]
GN[LoA Board 325]
PW[meikel]
PB[mburke]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[B1-B3]
;C[]
W[A2-C2]
;C[]
B[B8-B6]
;C[]
W[A5-C3]
;C[]
B[G1-G3]
;C[Building this wall is pointless as long as E1:C3 is a possibility.]
W[A6-C4]
;C[]
B[G8-D5]
;C[]
W[A7-C7]
;C[]
B[F8-D6]
;C[This capture is ill-advised.  ALthough it is a connection, its
position is likely to become a liability, particularly because
E1:C3 is still an open possibility.]
W[C7-C1]
;C[]
B[F1-D3]
;C[]
W[A3-C5]
;C[]
B[E8-C6]
;C[]
W[A4-C6]
;C[This is a terrible mistake.  Even now, E1:C3 would have 
been ideal.]
B[B3-B5]
;C[]
W[H6-F4]
;C[Black seems to have set a goal of winning the game without
capturing any white stones.]
B[B5-B7]
;C[]
W[H7-E4]
;C[]
B[D1-F3]
;C[]
W[H4-D4]
;C[Utterly pointless.  Even now, E1:C3 would be better.
]
B[E1-E3]
;C[]
W[H5-F3]
;C[]
B[Resign]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer

 I think this is the most interesting game of the tournament.]
GC[LoA Board 326]
GN[LoA Board 326]
PW[meikel]
PB[sharkey]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[D1-B3]
;C[]
W[H3-E3]
;C[]
B[C1-C3]
;C[This looks fairly innocuous, but has to be rated as a key
error: not from first principles but in view of what ensues.
The only obvious negative to this move is that it is open
to capture, but that alone is not enough to make it a
major error.]
W[H6-F4]
;C[This is an excellent, if obvious, move.  The stone
at F4 is incredibly influential over the next phase
of the game.  All of white's stones in column H are
inhibeted from effective advance, either by lack
of mobility or by the threat of immediate capture
if they move out.  My choice would be A4-C6, which
invites massive trade-down of material.  At least when
the dust settles, black and white positions will be similarly
disrupted.
]
B[F1-F4]
;C[Again, an innocuous looking move, but very bad in context.
Mainly, it doesn't do anything about the mobility problem
of column H.]
W[A7-D4]
;C[]
B[E1-B4]
;C[This is probably not a good choice, since black has
both the means and the motivation to capture.  White's
other oppotunities are not stellar at this point either.
]
W[A6-B5]
;C[Considering that white has only had four moves, it is
amazing to conclude that his situation is hopeless, but
this is pretty much the case.  F8 and F4 effectively 
control all white's column H lines of advance. A2 through
A5 are trapped behind the wall, and there will certainly not
be time to move them all around it.  D4 and E3 are not
positioned to do anything useful.  Meanwhile, black has
obvious ways to go about connecting.]
B[E8-B5]
;C[]
W[E3-B6]
;C[]
B[G1-D4]
;C[]
W[H7-F5]
;C[]
B[G8-D5]
;C[]
W[H2-G1]
;C[Black's central position looks better and better.]
B[F8-C5]
;C[]
W[F5-D7]
;C[]
B[B1-C2]
;C[]
W[H4-F6]
;C[]
B[F4-D6]
;C[]
W[H5-H6]
;C[\[sharkey: this seemed like an easy game to me, because all
 meikel's moves were weak\]
\[ddyer: the amazing thing to me is that four weak, but not
individually horrible opening moves, resulted in such an
untenable position.\]
]
B[C3-C7]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer
]
GC[LoA Board 329]
GN[LoA Board 329]
PW[sharkey]
PB[ddyer]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[B8-B6]
;C[]
W[A4-C2]
;C[]
B[B1-B3]
;C[]
W[A5-C3]
;C[Accepting an opening gift.]
B[E1-C3]
;C[]
W[A2-D2]
;C[Developing this piece rather than some other, to avoid
getting too much material pinned behind the potential
blockade of the top row.]
B[G1-G3]
;C[]
W[H2-E2]
;C[this blocks A6-D3, which would thicken white's block on
the top row unacceptably.]
B[C8-C4]
;C[Improve the mobility of white's pieces in the corner.  This
is a slow, developmental move, but a good idea.]
W[A6-B7]
;C[Develping a piece, and zeroing in on D2.  Even if not
used immediately, this is insurance against the block
becoming dangerous.
]
B[F8-D6]
;C[]
W[A7-D7]
;C[Still jockeying for position bearing on D2.]
B[D8-F6]
;C[]
W[D7-F5]
;C[]
B[F1-F4]
;C[]
W[H7-E4]
;C[]
B[G8-D5]
;C[This provides coverage on D2, so D6:D2 is not an effective
threat.  It also develops a pices which had no useful mobility.]
W[H6-H2]
;C[Build an alternate exit from the block.  Now C4:E2 is
an effective blockade-breaker.]
B[C1-E1]
;C[Develops H5:D5 as a viable attack, threatening to divide
black horizontally.  If successfull the broken blockade on 
the top row is no longer relevant.
]
W[A3-C5]
;C[Defending black's connectivity in the center.
]
B[C3-E5]
;C[With the blockade strategy effectively mooted, white
wisely moves on.  The blockade served its purpose]
W[D2-F4]
;C[White's big problem is that B7 and C5 are going
to be very hard to connect.]
B[D1-D4]
;C[threatening H4:D4]
W[F4-E3]
;C[Eliminating the threat.  This position is nearly balanced,
but white's two orphans are a little worse off than black's.  

]
B[E1-H4]
;C[This is not the best move.  I would have recommended
B7-C7, which would prevent G3-C7 (which would make
B7's position really hopeless) and also potentially enable
threats such as C7:C4
]
W[E2-G4]
;C[making a very thick central position, but probably not the
best move.  The opportunity to move G3-C7 may not
last.  This does prevent B7-C7, because B7-C7 would
uncover D5-F3(wins).
]
B[E8-E4]
;C[]
W[H5-F3]
;C[White's position, with two virtually immobile orphans,
 now looks pretty hopeless.]
B[G3-C7]
;C[Threatening E2:C4, which would make it hard to reconnect
B3.  It's unclear at this point if black should allow E2:C4
and concentrate on connecting H4, or prevent E2:C4
and allow H4 to become more trapped.]
W[C2-E2]
;C[Black opts to keep the known problem.]
B[B3-E6]
;C[Blocking the quick escape to H7]
W[E2-H5]
;C[Black with one orphaned piece vs white with two;  Black
will win the race unless white can somehow break up
black's impossibly thick position in the center.]
B[H4-G3]
;C[]
W[E3-F4]
;C[]
B[G3-F2]
;C[]
W[H5-E2]
;C[]
B[E6-E2]
;C[]
W[B7-A6]
;C[Only a fluke could save white now, but white still has
plenty of room to look for one.]
B[D6-D3]
;C[]
W[H3-E6]
;C[]
B[B6-B5]
;C[]
W[F3-D3]
;C[]
B[E2-E6]
;C[]
W[D3-E3]
;C[]
B[F2-D2]
;C[]
W[C5-B4]
;C[]
B[C7-C5]
;C[]
W[A6-A5]
;C[]
B[F6-C3]
)

(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer

]
GC[LoA Board 332]
GN[LoA Board 332]
PW[sharkey]
PB[lgaum]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[An opening gambit?  E3 is a gift. After H3:E3, it's as though
white got the first move.]
B[G1-E3]
;C[gambit declined.
]
W[A5-C7]
;C[Stabalizes E3 by overcrowding row 3.]
B[F1-D3]
;C[]
W[A4-C6]
;C[Black has achieved fairly stable control over column E, 
and row 3, which will make it hard for white to connect.]
B[B1-E4]
;C[]
W[A6-D6]
;C[This is a strangely slow move to choose.  Other things 
equal, longer jumps are preferable in the opening, since
fewer long moves are are neededto bridge the total
connectivity gap.   I would consider C1-C5]
B[G8-G7]
;C[Overcrowding column E, negates black control over E4]
W[A7-E7]
;C[This is a clear mistake.  It ignores the threat to E4, which
is easily answerable.  My choice would have been E8-G6]
B[F8-F7]
;C[Black's control over the center collapses.]
W[H7-E4]
;C[Bad strategy in action.
]
B[B8-F8]
;C[]
W[H6-E6]
;C[]
B[D1-F3]
;C[Good move.  This prevents black moving
toward connectivity.]
W[C6-F6]
;C[]
B[D3-D6]
;C[A curious choice.  My choice would have been A3:D6
]
W[A3-E3]
;C[A mistake; it uncovers E3:E8.   My choiec would have
been C1:C3]
B[E1-G3]
;C[]
W[E3-E8]
;C[]
B[F3-H5]
;C[]
W[A2-D5]
;C[D8-D5 would have been a better choice.  After D7:D5,
C7 is hard to connect.]
B[C1-D1]
;C[]
W[D5-F5]
;C[This exchange is not a good choice for black.  D8-D5 is
still available, and a better choice.
]
B[H5-E8]
;C[]
W[E4-E8]
;C[You can never count on your opponent letting
you make two moves in a row, as seems to be black's
plan here.  Of course, at this point black's choices are
limited.]
B[D1-D4]
;C[]
W[E8-D7]
;C[Not the best choice, but it is  too late anyway.  D8-G8
would uncover a threat to disconnect white with D4:D7,
and buy some time.]
B[G7-G5]
;C[]
W[H2-H5]
;C[Too late.]
B[D8-G8]
;C[]
W[H5-G4]
)
(;C[This game was played as part of the 1996 Email LOA
tournament.

 Comments by ddyer.
]
GC[LoA Board 333]
GN[LoA Board 333]
PW[ddyer]
PB[mburke]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[B1-B3]
;C[]
W[A2-C2]
;C[]
B[B8-B6]
;C[]
W[A7-C7]
;C[]
B[G1-E3]
;C[]
W[A3-C5]
;C[]
B[E1-C3]
;C[Always accept gifts such as this.]
W[A5-C3]
;C[]
B[E8-G6]
;C[The blockade may not be worth much, because
there's not enough trapped behind it; but the
centrally located white stones are in good position
anyway.]
W[A6-C4]
;C[Developing an attack on the wall.
]
B[D8-D6]
;C[]
W[C7-E7]
;C[]
B[C1-F4]
;C[]
W[H7-F7]
;C[]
B[F1-F5]
;C[]
W[C2-F5]
;C[]
B[G8-D8]
;C[]
W[A4-B5]
;C[]
B[D8-D5]
;C[Threatening H5:D5]
W[B5-D3]
;C[Not a good move, as it completely ignores the threat.
My choice would have been C8:F5, expecting H3:F5,
then B3-B5]
B[D1-E1]
;C[White cashes in.  At this point, black's stones look pretty
badly scattered and ineffectual.]
W[H5-D5]
;C[This is a really pointless capture.  White's position is
actually better after black captures this stone.
]
B[E3-H6]
;C[]
W[H3-E6]
;C[Black never had a clear plan to connect.
]
B[Resign]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer
]
GC[LoA Board 344]
GN[LoA Board 344]
PW[meikel]
PB[charly]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[B8-B6]
;C[]
W[A7-C7]
;C[]
B[B1-B3]
;C[]
W[H5-F7]
;C[]
B[G8-B8]
;C[]
W[A6-C8]
;C[]
B[B8-B5]
;C[]
W[H7-E7]
;C[]
B[C1-C4]
;C[A slow move.  What about A3-D6 ?
]
W[H2-F4]
;C[]
B[C4-C7]
;C[]
W[F7-C7]
;C[]
B[D8-D6]
;C[]
W[A2-A6]
;C[]
B[F8-C8]
;C[Its unclear what this accomplishes.  H3-E3 would be better.
]
W[F4-C4]
;C[]
B[C8-A6]
;C[]
W[H4-E4]
;C[]
B[G1-C1]
;C[]
W[A3-D6]
;C[C1:C4 would have trapped white behind the walll.  As it
is, white still has the opportunity to escape, and his central
position would be better than black's peripheral one.]
B[B5-B2]
;C[It's curious to choose to connect by running to the edge,
when running away from the edge would serve as well.  
This could be excused if the 3-stone wall looked solid;
but it's not.]
W[E4-B4]
;C[]
B[F1-C4]
;C[]
W[C7-C4]
;C[]
B[E8-C6]
;C[]
W[H6-C6]
;C[]
B[E1-B4]
;C[E7:B4 would keep black separated for one more
move, but it's really too late.
]
W[A5-B5]
;C[]
B[B6-A5]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer
]
GC[LoA Board 347]
GN[LoA Board 347]
PW[mburke]
PB[lgaum]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[C1-C3]
;C[]
W[H3-E3]
;C[]
B[B1-D3]
;C[]
W[H2-F2]
;C[This is good position for black, and hard to counter.
Seeing this position, it would have been better to
exchange A6:D3 and F1:D3 instead before H2-F2
I think A6:C8 is the key opportunity. After A6:C8,
any addition white stone in column C becomes an
attack on C4]
B[F1-C4]
;C[This doesn't do anything about black's worrying
domination of the center.]
W[H6-F6]
;C[Black simply thickens his position, and advances toward
connection at the same time.]
B[E1-B4]
;C[]
W[A7-C7]
;C[Black's position is now thick enough that an attack on
any indidual stone in the block is not fatal.  At this point,
A6:C8 may be too little too late.]
B[D1-B3]
;C[]
W[H4-D4]
;C[]
B[F8-C5]
;C[It's unclear what this is trying to accomplish.   One 
possible idea it to give G8 connection problems.  It
would be better to try to control rows 6 and 7 more
directly, perhaps with A6-C6 and  A5:D8]
W[H7-F7]
;C[]
B[C8-A6]
;C[Black and white are both simply marching to connection,
but white seems to be ignoring his pinned stones.  One
would expect a computer to play this way - improve the 
possible while ignoring the impossible to fix problem.]
W[C7-E5]
;C[]
B[D8-D5]
;C[]
W[F7-F4]
;C[]
B[G1-F1]
;C[]
W[A3-B2]
;C[White is in serious trouble.  Black's central block is
impentrable, and very inconveniently placed.]
B[F1-B5]
;C[]
W[F6-F3]
;C[]
B[G8-D8]
;C[]
W[A2-D2]
;C[]
B[D8-B6]
;C[]
W[Resign]
)
(;GC[Loa Board  345]
C[This game was played in 1996 on Richard's Email
server; part of the first LOA round robin tournament.

Comments by sharkey unless otherwise noted
]
GN[LoA Board 345]
PW[sharkey]
PB[charly]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[B8-B6]
;C[]
W[H4-F2]
;C[]
B[B1-B3]
;C[]
W[H3-E3]
;C[]
B[G1-B1]
;C[]
W[H5-F3]
;C[]
B[G8-B8]
;C[These seem to be pretty standard openings for both of us.
This is the first time I have seen this opening of his,
although he uses it in other tournament games.
]
W[H2-E2]
;C[]
B[B8-B4]
;C[]
W[H6-E6]
;C[]
B[F8-B8]
;C[I generally wait to capture pieces until it is decisive,
and I have been developing my pieces such that it is easy
to capture several spaces on the b column, which looks 
like a weak way to develope to me at this point.
]
W[H7-F7]
;C[]
B[D8-A5]
;C[He makes an attack, so I reply.
]
W[F7-B3]
;C[]
B[B8-B3]
;C[The position of my pieces allows me to win the b3 argument.
]
W[F3-B3]
;C[]
B[E8-C6]
;C[Probaly a weak move.  In retrospect I should have
continued to attack.

\[ddyer: at this point, I would have played A4:D1, blocking
two black stones, A2:D2 can be played later.\]]
W[A2-D2]
;C[His plans are taking shape now.
]
B[C8-A6]
;C[Going back to save a7.  This must be done, but it is still
passive.
]
W[F2-B6]
;C[Now I realize the error of my ways.  Although he could not
control the B column, he now has all his pieces off row eight 
and is ready to head for the win with c6-c3.  I have been too
passive is keeping his sides apart, and now must pay for it 
with a difficult end game or a loss.
]
B[B1-C2]
;C[Probably the only way to stop him.
]
W[E6-C4]
;C[]
B[C6-A4]
;C[With him being so close, I must get my act together so I can 
counter-threat, or the game will be lost.
]
W[A7-D4]
;C[]
B[C1-C4]
;C[\[ddyer: here, I thought D4:D1 was a better move.  In this
variation, black can respond  with A5-B6, and many
complex and desperate manouvers ensue.  One of them 
just might succeed.  After D4:D1, there is basicly
no way for black to reconnect E1 and F1\]]
W[B6-D6]
;C[]
B[C2-D3]
;C[]
W[D6-E5]
;C[]
B[Resign]
)
(;C[This game was played in 1996 as part of the first
Email LOA tournament.

Comments by ddyer.
]
GC[LoA Board 346]
GN[LoA Board 346]
PW[charly]
PB[lgaum]
FF[4]
IY[true]
GM[9]
;C[]
B[F8-F6]
;C[]
W[A7-C7]
;C[]
B[B1-B3]
;C[]
W[A6-D6]
;C[Good center position for black.
]
B[G8-D5]
;C[This is an odd move, which doesn't seem to advance white's
position.]
W[A2-A6]
;C[]
B[E8-E6]
;C[]
W[H3-E6]
;C[lgaum seems to have adopted my strategic principles :)]
B[C8-E6]
;C[]
W[A3-C5]
;C[I would have moved D8-G5, crowding row 5, connecting an
outlying stone, and restricting mobility of white's column H.
It's true that none of these goals are urgent, but neither is
connecting B8.]
B[B8-B6]
;C[White threatens a blockade against B6, but it will be difficult
to reinforce.]
W[A4-B5]
;C[]
B[G1-D4]
;C[Obviously intending to connect quickly with H4:F6 and
H7-G6. Unfortunately black will get to move too.]
W[H2-E5]
;C[very painful for white.]
B[D1-D6]
;C[]
W[A6-A4]
;C[Maybe a good choice; the threatened capture of D4 is not
too worrying.  Another good possibility is E1-E4.  White may
try to make it hard for D8 to connect, but I doubt his chances
for  success.]
B[D8-G5]
;C[Intending to discourage E1:E4, but not good enough, as we
shall see.  Looking back at this position after seeing how 
the game actually developed, taking the capture A4:D4
looks better.  Attempting a blockade with A4-C6 is also
a possibility.]
W[H7-G6]
;C[Black is not dissuaded.  This looks like a potentially
fatal error, but from this point black has an ironclad
sequence of threats leading to victory.]
B[E1-E4]
;C[The threat of H4:D4 is now looks serious, but is not.]
W[G6-E4]
;C[Connecting a key orphan, and threatening rapid
connection of the other three.  H4:D4 looks like
a good sequence for white, biut it is too slow.
Similarly, E4:D6 does not help, even though
it maintains A4:D4 as a threat.
]
B[B6-G6]
;C[This looks good for white, but is not.   Black still controls
C4, and and has only to move in and connect there.]
W[H4-D4]
;C[Black's position is overpowering at this point, becuase all
he has to do is haul in his outlying stones.  White's stones
in column H are too distant to connect, and too immobile 
to be useful for cutting.  This capture is superfluous.]
B[G6-E4]
;C[Threatening E5 again is no use; black is too close to
to being connected.]
W[H6-H4]
;C[The threat against E4 is not important this time,
bcause black connects even if E4 is removed.
]
B[F1-D3]
;C[]
W[A4-E4]
;C[]
B[C1-C4]
)