By Nam Chi-hyung

It is often said that a fight begins with a cutting move. Of course a cut, separating the opponent's groups of stones, is tangible evidence for the start of a fight. However, there is usually a bend before a cut. A bend does not initiate a fight as it is, but its power evokes your opponent's eager resistance, which then culminates in a fight. This can also be interpreted in the following way; if your opponent doesn't dare to stand against a bend, you can make him yield under the power of the bend.

Diagram 1

Black's goal is to reduce White's territory on the left side. As Black attaches at 1, White bends with 2, as in the saying, ``when being attached, bend.'' Even though there is another saying ``when being bent, extend,'' it is too meek a move for Black to extend with A or B and let White secure the side along the third line.
















Diagram 2

As you may have guessed, to bend at 1 is a good move for Black. It induces White to cut with 2 and capture Black 1 with 4. Then, Black can give atari to the x-marked white stone with A, and capture the ¡a-marked white stone by a ladder with 9. If afraid of White's ladder break, Black also can choose the sequence shown here. Black not only trimmed down White's territory on the side, but also built an influence in the center.














Diagram 3

If White refuses to connect at 8 in Dia.2 and extends at 2 instead, Black 3 to 7 will put White in trouble. After 7, Black can aim to capture either two white stones on the side with A, or in the center with B.


















Diagram 4

Black's goal is much clearer in this problem than in the previous one. The five black stones in the corner are dead as there are, but if Black can capture the three ¡a-marked white stones, they can be resurrected. How?




Diagram 5

The key move is Black 3, the bend. As you can see, a bend creates many cutting points for both the enemy and the ally, and one of those cutting points can be a clue to breaking through the situation. After Black 3, if White cuts at A, Black will cut at B and capture the three white stones. If White connects at B, then Black will connect at A and capture the whole white group on the left.

Diagram 6

White 2 is an attempt to make Black unable to bend with 3, as in the previous diagram. However, now, Black has another brilliant bend in his sleeve, namely Black 5. If Black innocently goes down with 5 at A, White will cut the three black stones in the sequence from B to D. But owing to Black 5, the bend, White cannot cut at D after the exchange of White B and Black C.

chihyung@mju.ac.kr

The writer is a baduk professor at Myongji University and a professional player of the game.