Reviewing Beginner's Game on the 9x9 Board

[@Dj74033]

Love it! More 9x9 please!

[@StephaneArcher]

Thank you for making these 9by9 beginner-friendly game explanations. Where is game 2?

[@aupotter2584]

I think it's coming up, maybe for members only.

[@GoMagic]

It's in the full course on our platform.

[@StephaneArcher]

@@GoMagic is this in "Game Reviews for Beginners"?

[@josephb4919]

At about 8:03, lil beginner me thought "oh, can't black defend the invasion with less stones by passing a few times?" I was about to comment to ask this, then the rest of the video answered my question! So when can I beat AlphaGo?! Love your videos, they are really helpful!

[@GoMagic]

Glad the video answered your question-perfect timing! 😄 As for beating AlphaGo, well... let’s just say it’s a long-term goal! 😅 But every game you play brings you closer to mastering the fundamentals, so keep at it.

[@shanewhite1313]

This is one of my favorites so far! I really love the talk around how a game of Go is a conversation. I am new enough that I can’t hear it yet. Videos like this where you almost lay out the conversation are super interesting. Have you ever considering doing games with less analysis, but more narrative? For me personally I am almost entirely self taught from GoQuest, so I would love to just watch a bunch of quick games where we learn what the moves are saying, rather than why it is or isn’t the ideal move. There was something I heard (possibly one of your videos) that said the rules of chess explain how to play chess, but the rules of Go don’t really explain how that game is played. Tell me stories of how the game is being played!

[@GoMagic]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment! We’ve been thinking about making such (a more narrative style) videos in future.

[@shanewhite1313]

@ “Double Digit Kyu Games” book by Neil Moffat describes what I am looking for as an evaluation of intention. I also really like the way it takes alternate moves and kind of shows them off to the side. Thanks again for your response and content!

[@bananaquark1164]

Danke!

[@kurtm9744]

Should komi be smaller than 6.5 on a smaller board?

[@GoMagic]

While many use smaller komi for smaller boards, some pro players actually argue that komi should be bigger. On smaller boards, the first move has a much larger impact, so Black’s advantage could be greater.

[@caiqueoliveira7190]

9x9 games are wonderfull for beguiners. Thank you! For me it does not matter if pros are playing it as long as some core concepts are explainable. Like chess gm matches. Keep it up!

[@GoMagic]

Thank you! 😊 Totally agree-for 9x9, it’s less about pro-level play and more about understanding fundamentals

[@Промо-в1ю]

Yeah, I agree. It's a fascinating video, almost every move I made myself. It's like personal analysis by Vadim. More of this, pls. And if you do start analysing larger boards, pls don't stop with 9×9 like others do. 9×9 is so much fun

[@GoMagic]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you’re enjoying the content 😊

[@bananaquark1164]

This feels like an direct answer to my question i love it ❤ :D i gotter spend some money on your website for that 😂

[@plrc4593]

Magic, maybe you will make a series I analyse viewers' games? 🙃 But 19x19. One game a week/two?

[@shufandurin1229]

a very good suggestion!

[@sharpe3698]

There's so much quality 19x19 analysis available on YT. Examining 9x9 is filling a niche begging for more content.

[@GoMagic]

We actually have plans for a 19x19 review course, but we don’t have a set date yet and it probably won't happen in the nearest future.

[@myboy_]

3:39 oh my gosh it's Ochi!!! Man I gotta read Hikaru no go again

[@plrc4593]

Magic, have you ever played 21x21? How do you find it?

[@GoMagic]

No, personally, I haven’t played 21x21! Even 19x19 offers a lifetime of challenges. 🤯 Have you tried it?

[@mamizoumain]

I always see those brown square bowls around in videos but never anywhere for sale. I dont really like the look of most polished wood bowls.

[@culturefinance]

At 10:25, you say white is dead but it seems to me like it can still play. Also I don't see why only these 2 white stones count as "+1" but not the other invaders. Could you explain it please ?

[@SnrKagemusha]

The white stones can't make two eyes (assuming correct play from black) because black has occupied the vital points needed to do so (see other videos on eye shapes). If you have time, lay the position out on a board and try to create a living group with white while defending with black. The two stones count as points because black did not play stones in its own territory for two moves - black passed. But white did play stones for those two moves, which are dead and will become prisoners. In other words, it's like white threw away two stones (and so two points, and black didn't waste two of its own (it didn't "give the points back).

[@OlliMarkkanen]

It has nothing to do with those specific stones it's all about the other player passing, and other player playing more stones there, donating points. If they played same amount of stones, it would be even. But because attacker plays more stones there, it is the same as giving free captured stones.

[@culturefinance]

@@SnrKagemusha Maybe my problem is with "assuming correct play from black". Thank you for your explanations.

[@culturefinance]

@@OlliMarkkanen Thank you for your explanations. I will learn point counting again.

[@piershanson1784]

3:17 The other ochi-san moment, where the atari isn't the best way to give up the stone. Might not matter on this board though.

[@frankiethefrank]

6.5 Komi on a 9x9 game?! What?!?

[@OlliMarkkanen]

How valuable do you think the first move is?

[@frankiethefrank]

@ well I don’t know, but surely it’s a lot less than 6.5 on a small board game. I think normally on a 9x9 white just gets 0.5, don’t they?

[@GoMagic]

Actually, some pro players argue that komi could actually be higher on smaller boards (like 7.5). The reasoning is that the first move has a much bigger impact in a smaller space, giving Black a significant advantage.