I think the damage is somewhat minor, since it only just makes their eyespace slightly less efficient, and it’s a difficult tradeoff for another player to play a stone in that area while neglecting pressing concerns elsewhere. Anyways, HHG seems to be attempting to widen their eyespace in the bottom-left, so we’ll have to see how that fighting goes.
if HHG winds up penned in, they could still make five eyes like this:
However, the stones at A8 and A6 are in 3-atari, so a coordinated attack from even just 3 other players could ruin their day. Filling A7 would give four solid eyes, which may be enough if it seems like a player may be eliminated, or if a coordinated four-player attack seems unlikely.
I decided to team up with le_4TC this round, since HHG is getting too powerful to stay my ally, and if le_4TC loses, I will probably be next on the list…
I think in comparing Vsotvep’s original pitch to le_4TC I get the feeling that Vsotvep doesn’t want to end up with a wasted move. As in they potentially want a useful stone for later, while also possibly benefiting or appearing to be helpful to le_4TC.
If H2 ends up being a guaranteed collision then Vsotvep can say they tried to help save le_4TC’s stones but with other preferences can probably get a useful move elsewhere on the board. Similarly they could actually in the case of no collision formulate the double capture plan with haze which would free up an extra liberty in an otherwise cramped looking board and maybe settle the tension there somewhat.
I think le_4TC’s bargain makes sense - if you really want to help, we could double capture e2 stones, or, in the event that H2 isnt a collision, it benefits le_4TC to keep their stone alive there for another round. I imagine Vsotvep would prefer not to end up with a stone in the middle of red/yellow territory at the bottom if possible - although they were ok with A6 I think le_4TC’s plan does have benefits to both parties though. Vsotvep can either help capture one of the two yellow three stone groups or get a move on top to attack Haze etc. If le_4TC’s gets stronger by capturing, I’m imagining one of le_4TC and HHG being the main target for the next few rounds, and possibly Vsotvep gains time and maybe some space from it.
I actually didn’t see myself commenting in the kibitz thread when I asked to join, was expecting just to read things and see others discussing and possibly read kibitz logs.
I actually do feel bad for 李建澔2, losing three stones, a very cramped position, even making an eye at f2 by playing f1 still leaves the three stones in 2-atari.
That said with some strong negotiation in theory le_4TC’s main group could fall as it’s in 4-atari, and the other in 3-atari. I suspect that while it might be beneficial to (plan to) continue to capture stones of either 李建澔2 or HHG, connecting at g4 must be tempting, just to not get disconnected.
I expect much strategy and colliding stones in the next round, but then again there was much less colliding of moves in the last few rounds than I expected. I guess we have Vsotvep’s logs mainly regularly which sometimes shows others points of view but it’s hard to know the full story
Yeah I feel like while Vsotvep is (possibly jokingly) criticising Haze for making 5 separate groups, Haze having stones on all corners of the board does make them someone you’d want to negotiate with. Haze can help to capture the two stones of HHG, the three stones of le_4TC, any of 李建澔2 really, the two stones of Vsotvep or possibly just make the eyespace of HHG slightly less efficient with A6.
Imagining some of the colours Haze could team with (the two colour spots being team play as opposed to collisions).
Maybe something like this is realistic for the next round with still no diplo. I mean yellow and red could collide on f2, but I feel like even letting yellow connect and putting your own stones in Atari wouldn’t be too bad given simultaneous capture (assuming no diplomacy happens that is). H8 is maybe better than j8 for blue,
The collision on B2 was kind of expected and HHG playing A3 next. Vsotvep playing g8 is probably a bit more solid. G4 definitely makes sense for le_4TC, and 李建澔2 is in trouble now. I wonder is it almost time to start a new group elsewhere to not get eliminated and try to bargain your way back into the game? Poor Haze getting all collisions though.
I like Vsotvep trying to stir the pot, when all three of HHG, Vsotvep and le_4TC are looking strong.
Time for some more Malkovich talk. HHG is getting too powerful, I’d like to play B2 for myself, it would be nice to have at least one throw-in.
However, I really want to limit HHG’s eye potential, so A6 is kind of necessary by now… Maybe le_4TC can work something out with Haze to capture the two stones. I’ve offered Haze a truce in the top right.
It’s very important to get a throw-in in le_4TC’s space after 李建澔 is inevitably captured in a few turns. Probably F2.
HHG seems to be attempting to widen their eyespace in the bottom-left, so we’ll have to see how that fighting goes.
Vsotvep 
le_4TC I get the feeling that 
I think le_4TC’s plan does have benefits to both parties though. Vsotvep can either help capture one of the two yellow three stone groups or get a move on top to attack Haze etc. If le_4TC’s gets stronger by capturing, I’m imagining one of 
Haze can help to capture the two stones of 
