A Three-Stone Handicap Game Vs. Leela

Words
392
Reading
2 min
Listen
Play
4y

Leela is an AI whose level is close to professional level depending on hardware.

image.png

image.png

The choice here for black is between blocking at D17 and C16. I think D17 is better because after giving white the corner and building a wall facing the lower side white's approach like F3 would be better given where white's existing stone on the lower right is.

image.png

P3 is strong torwards black at D4, which is less useful than having the stone at R4.

Black can now play a pincer or jump to O16. I'm going to go for a pincer.

There are many options here. O16 would be to peacefully take the side. A pincer from the right side would likely trigger a corner invasion.

image.png

That's what happened. Now black has to deal with white's invasion of the moyo (framework).

image.png

I can't be very happy with this. White took sente and pincered at F3.

Black's wall on the left can be cut off but in gote.

image.png

The fight is on. It's black's turn to invade white's framework and try and not to get into trouble on the left at the same time.

image.png

Crucial times. Black would like to cut off the three stones. Black would like to kill them to take territory and gain safety for his stones on the lower left without suffering too much damage on the upper left. Tall order. But let's see. It comes down to tactical maneuvering.

image.png

I was expecting something like this. Obviously, black has to play in the corner but the question is then what happens when white cuts of the wall on upper left.

image.png

Black is cut off. Gaining a tolerable result depends on killing the five white stones on the lower left or threatening to do so and making eyes for black group in this narrow space while at it.

image.png

The fight is on.

image.png

Black has a false eye after taking the stone on the second line at B12. This was an oversight on my part due to my playing too fast.

D8 is the only move now because an atari at D8 would force black to defend and give white plenty of time to make eyes on the side. It's hopeless anyway.

image.png

Black does not have enough liberties.

But is the game lost, yet? White has 75-80 points. Black has 60. White has to screw up.

image.png

White didn't. Black resigns.

A Three-Stone Handicap Game Vs. Leela | Ecency