Klaus and I had our knives out for our latest game, 387211. Just take a look at this position from the opening. Just how in the heck is Klaus going to stop me from cutting him off on the left? If I had Klaus's position, I'd have been feeling a bit desperate at that point. But, Klaus found a way. That's one joseki for the record books. And yet I still managed to win, somehow. I will try to analyze it some more, and then I will probably post it on the BoardGameGeek site, like I did before. I welcome any questions or comments.

Even the final position contains a puzzle. If Klaus had tried 42.F18* instead of resigning, what would have been my best response? You can post answers here if you like; people do anyway… :-)

I just had a look to that game. Now I understand the title of your post… ;-)

About the puzzle…

The obvious 43.M22* seems fine to me : 44.H17*, 45.J16*, 46.I14, 47.I15*. It's not very “nice”, but it seems to work. So…

Maybe 43.E17* is better anyway because with 44.K22**, 45.D19* is a good move, and 44.D17* is not a threat.

OK, let's say my response would be 43.E17*…

42.F18* 43.E17*? 44.K22** 45.D19* 46.D23 47.D21 48.C21* and Black wins. Isn't that nasty? Your initial response 43.M22* was correct.

Mmmm… (with the help of JTwixT this time)

42.F18* 43.E17* 44.K22** 45.D19* 46.D23, then (variation) 47.C21* 48.B22* 49.F22.

Thanks to line 24 where Black can't play, I can't see a move which could stop White.

Thanks for pointing that out! The “puzzle” is cooked. Black doesn't even have a draw.

Great game! Especially I love Klaus' way to get between David's F9-G14. Master Play!

After move 20 Klaus had a solid win position and 21.k18 was a fruitless attack because without support you cannot break a 5/2 connection like Klaus' H19-M17! I do not understand Klaus' response 22.L19. Why did'nt he play 22.J18? That way he would have secured the way to the left side. And it would have been hard for David to break through on the right side. 23.N17 would not have worked, neither would have 23.L16 or 23.M19.

I may have an explanation about 22.L19 (I insist : I may have…). Maybe the goal was to stop David to the left AND to the right. The threat for Klaus was 23.P16, wasn’t it ?

Let’s try it : 22.J18* 23.P16 24.O16** 25.R15* with a threat 27.O18* and 29.M19**.

(if 24.Q16*, then 25.R17* seems to win)

If I’m right, that would mean that 21.K18 was a very tricky move ;-)

David ?

Syl, 23.P16 is a very good defense move, but I think I found a way around it: Following your scenario 25.R15: 26.S15, now David has to close the gap and plays 27.S13. Then 28.P18. David cannot play 29.R19 and 29.S17 is also too weak. Black wins.

27.S13** is weak, you are right. I'm not sure White (David) has to play it. What about 27.T14* ?

After 28.P18*, 29.T19 is strong (to be checked).

22.J18* P16 O16** R15* S15 T14*! and now 28.P18* T19 looks good. Another approach (provided for me by Klaus) is 22.J18* M19* K16** R15. Like Syl said, my 21.K18 attack was not focused on just the 5-2 gap between H19 and M17.

My session report on BoardGameGeek is now posted: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geekforum.php3?action=viewthread&threadid=73934

If you have JTwixt, that might be the best way to follow the game. I welcome comments, questions, etc.

David, once again this is a great session report! If we had a TwixT TV channel, you'd have to be the chief commentator. Thanks!