9x9 game review request

[magnummalum]

Hello!

Thank you all for the latest game reviews, your advices really helped me to learn.

golbe vs. magnummalum

On my last game, we had intense fight on 9x9 board. One thing I noticed is first part of the game, where black were trying to squeeze me in the center, leaving me with small corner space. Is this tactic really applicable? For me it was first game with such opening.

Also, OGS analysis shows that turn 26 made me lose all my advantage - I do not really understand why. As I see, without this capture, my group which linked two sides would die and I would left with not so much space in the corners.

I feel that I am also missing something overall in this game, like I could save more stones, so any advices and comments are much appreciated

Thank you

[qnpnpmqppnp]

@magnummalum

Also, OGS analysis shows that turn 26 made me lose all my advantage - I do not really understand why. As I see, without this capture, my group which linked two sides would die and I would left with not so much space in the corners.

Capturing black’s D8 was unnecessary since this stone was dead anyway. Black could not save it.

Your move was essentially wasted, and this allowed black to split your groups with E6, causing part of it to die later.

[magnummalum]

This move was made to protect group of two stones from capturing, but now with your comment I see that E6 for myself was a better defense

[mark5000]

@magnummalum

One thing I noticed is first part of the game, where black were trying to squeeze me in the center, leaving me with small corner space. Is this tactic really applicable? For me it was first game with such opening.

Yes, this is a valid tactic when White answers 3-3 at the center point, and hundreds of OGS games have started this way. By establishing stable positions right away in two opposite corners, Black is betting that White won’t be able to convert that central position into enough points to win. Or, if White takes one of the remaining corners, Black will snag the third and stay ahead in the territorial race. To prevent this from happening, White should answer 3-3 differently. I recommend any of the marked points below: