Lesson 95
Contrary to the famous proverb ``even a moron connects against a peep,’’ it is often a bad move to answer a peep by connecting. As there is a right way to peep, there is a right way to answer a peep as well.
Diagram 1
White 1 is a good move, peeping the cutting point at A and making White able to bridge under with B if Black connects against it. In this case, you may say that ``you are a moron if you connect against a peep.’’
Diagram 2
After White smartly peeps at 1, it is impossible for Black not to lose anything. The best choice for Black is to lessen the loss with the sequence from 2 to 6. Compared to the result of Dia.1, which leaves almost no eye-shape for Black and strengthens the white stones to the left, the position here is much more favorable for Black.
Diagram 3
White 1 is a good move striking the vital point of Black’s shape on the upper side. As you know, it is too naive for Black to connect at A to make double empty triangle shapes. You may think that B or C can be the right answer against White 1 since both create tiger’s mouths, but there is a far better way for Black.
Diagram 4
In this case, to peep with 2 is a smart move. If White connects at 3, Black can defend the cutting point in sente with 4.
Diagram 5
Even if White blocks with 3, the situation will be the same and Black can make a tiger’s mouth with 4 in sente.
Diagram 6
Even though the two white stones on the lower side look lonely and weak, if Black connects at A against White’s peep with 1, there will be no way for Black to attack them severely. This is because White can freely jump toward the center with B aiming the cutting point at ▲.
Diagram 7
In order to keep the initiative Black has on the lower side, it is good to counter-peep with 2. If White connects at 4 instead of cutting with 3, then Black will connect at 3, being satisfied as he blocks White’s jumping out toward the center. If White cuts as shown here, Black will block the outside with the sequence up to 10. Although Black lost a bit in the territorial sense, the influence he got in the center compensates for the loss.
Diagram 8
Of course it is not the correct answer for Black to connect at A against White 1. It only makes Black’s shape heavy.
Diagram 9
When a connection against a peep makes your group heavy, it’s better to think about giving up those stones. In the situation here, Black 2 is the wisest answer. Even though White captured three black stones up to 9, Black can be happy with the wall he built in the center. If White bends with either 4 or 6 instead of 3 and 5, Black will cut that bend and the following fight will be quite doable for Black.
The writer is a baduk professor at Myongji University and a professional player of the game.