Others

Lesson 147: Patterns with Double-Approach 3

By Nam Chi-hyung Double-approach joseki variations usually occur when your opponent pincers the first approach. We learned the variations with the one-point lower pincer in the two previous lessons. Now we're going to study the variations with the two-point higher pincer. Because there is more room for the pincered player to move in, there are more variations we have to consider. Diagram 1 When White approaches again with 2, attaching at 3 is one of several options for Black. Even White has a few options, including bending with 4. Since we cannot study all the options at once, let's focus only on the sequences following Black 5. Even then, White has two choices at A and B. Diagram 2 It is the simplest choice for White to come into the corner with 1. However, the outcome of the sequence up to Black 4 is not a desirable one because Black's squeezing with A, aiming at B with the help of the △-marked black stone, is a good follow-up move that restricts White's development on the left side in sente. Diagram 3 Therefore, White 1 here is more often played than t

50% of Korean Have Gum Disorders

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Many of us know that bad gums hurt and bring bad breath. Periodontitis happens when one does not brush his or her teeth well enough or has a physical constitution that weakens the gums. It can make gums bleed or hurt and caused gaps between the teeth. According to the National Health Insurance Corporation, about 20 percent of the subscribers have visited dentists over gum disorders. Experts assume the number of those who have periodontitis, but do not have medical treatment could be up to 50 percent of the population. Moreover, Prof. Park Sung-hee of Hallym University said that people over 35 years old have 75 percent more chance to have the disease. We know little about how bad gums can cause or worsen diseases in other parts of the body. Dentists are warning that contamination causing gum trouble can cause heart disease, strokes, premature births and worsen diabetic or respiratory problems. Pregnant women suffering from the disease have a seven times higher chance of giving birth to underweight children or prematurely. The disease in

Lesson 146: Patterns with Double-Approach 2

By Nam Chi-hyung Most popular josekis being played in the 21st century are so big that they occupy about a quarter of a Baduk board. The variations initiated by the double-approach we're going to study in this lesson are no exception. Diagram 1 We already studied the sequence from White 1 to 15 in the last lesson. Nowadays, most top players play White 1 instead of coming into the corner at 2 because they know that Black's playing at 1 against White's 3-3 is a very forceful move. After Black 2, the sequence up to 15 is inevitable for both. However, it is not easy for Black to decide where to play after White 15. The two main choices are A and B. Diagram 2 If Black chooses A in Diag.1, the sequence up to 13 can be easily expected. The difficult part of this choice is the unforeseeable fights that may be started by White 14, which White will usually play right after Black 13. Diagram 3 The sequence from 2 to 8 is an example of the various fights after White 1. It is almost impossible to describe all the variations following Black 8, but it is certain that

Lesson 145: Patterns with Double-Approach 1

By Nam Chi-hyung Star-point joseki variations are becoming more and more diverse in their development. One reason for that, among many, is the increasing number of pincer-joseki variations now being played. In the past, most pincer-joseki variations involved the 3-4 point, and it was considered possible only when there was an ally to play a pincer in conjunction with a star-point. Diagram 1 Black's pincer with 2 is what initiated this pincer boom for the star-point joseki. As I have mentioned numerous times, Baduk of today is more center-focused, and influence is more important than ever. Therefore, the result up to 11 is regarded as being favorable to Black. Diagram 2 So, instead of coming into the corner with A, White chooses the double-approach with 3. The variations we're going to study are the ones that start with this second approach. The most popular answer by Black to this approach is Black 4 here. Diagram 3 After Black 4 in Diag.2, White exchanges 1 with 2 in order to make the deal in the corner more favorable to him, and then attaches at 3. Bla

Buddhist Leaders Appeal for Symbiosis

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Leaders from the local Buddhist sects gave messages of hope and peace Wednesday to celebrate the coming of Buddha, which falls May 12 this year. Living in symbiosis, the four Venerables said, is the most important lesson of Buddha's birthday. ``Buddha has waited an infinite amount of time to be reborn as an incarnation of love,'' said Ven. Jigwan, executive chief of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order. ``The coming of Buddha reminds us to respect one another and pursue harmonious symbiosis as the greatest virtue. ``Mankind has no future without nature; East cannot enjoy the abundance of the West by abandoning its own virtues; and as far as we coexist with less fortunate neighboring Asian countries, newfound wealth is but a nominal illusion,'' he said. ``The traditions, power and human dignity of our community, which connects the past and future, can only be sustained through our neighbors, who may be different from us.'' Ven. Unsan, executive chief of the Taego Order said, ``Humans and nature should maintain a cause and effect relationship. But

Tips for Dandruff Management

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Dandruff is a problem for many people and can become worse especially with drastic changes in temperature and weather. The white flaky matter is generally associated with poor hygiene, however, the main cause of dandruff is the excessive shedding of dried skin cells on the scalp. For some it can be the cause of social and self esteem problems, while others may worry about going bald. However, dandruff exists even after hair loss. According to Dr. Seo Dong-hye of ANA clinic, even bald people can get dandruff because it is skin related. ``What you need is to take care of your scalp,'' she said. Here are some tips one can take, provided by Dr. Seo. 1. Dry type scalp: If you don't get a lot of oil buildup in your hair, even several days after washing your hair, you may have a dry scalp. In this case the skin does not produce much oil, or sebum, which could lead to dandruff. This also causes an itchy scalp. Tips: Moisturize your scalp. Use hair conditioner at least once a week and wash your hair once every two days. Do not use a ha

Lesson 144: Learning From Review

By Nam Chi-hyung Reviewing your own games is an excellent method of improving your understanding of Baduk. You can do it by yourself, with your opponent, or with the help of stronger players. When you review professionals' games, you can also think about possible better moves, criticize wrong moves, and learn their brilliant moves in fighting, etc. However, all these will be quite imaginary for you, and it is harder to keep the wisdom gained from another's game than the one from your own. The first step in reviewing is to memorize your own game. You can get help from a recorder, or you can do it yourself while playing the game with paper and pencil, or even an electric game recording device. I recommend using as few of these aids as possible, relying only on your own memory. It is not easy at first, of course. However, if you keep on trying, you will be able to draw a logical map which will show you the paths you took. If all the moves you played in a game are made from proper reasoning, it will be difficult to forget what you thought at a specific moment of a game. To recor

369th Turtle Marathon

Lesson 143: Mastering Carpenters Square (6)

I really appreciate those of you who followed all the lessons about the Carpenter's Square so far. It was a long journey and I'm going to make this one the last. Of course, there are many more possible variations of the Carpenter's Square, but now I'm sure that you can figure out what you need to consider when encountering new shapes. Diagram 1 This is another example of a theoretically-made situation. The essential distinction of this shape is the two ¡a-marked black stones on the first line. These two stones make the corner invulnerable to an attempt by the enemy to kill you. Diagram 2 The attacking move of White is already decided, and what matters is Black's answer. Here, Black turns with 1 and the outcome up to Black 5 is a dual-life. Diagram 3 Even though Black attaches at 1, the result is still the same as before, namely a dual-life. Thus, when there are two allied stones on the first line, the corner is safe in the matter of life and death. What you should have in mind is that the Black's position in Diag.1 does not possess any territory as it

Are You Addicted to Carbohydrate?

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Some people experience hunger or thirst after enjoying a chocolate bar or piece of cake. If you have a difficult time concentrating after eating a carbohydrate-focused meal, you may well have carbohydrate addiction. Extreme fatigue might hit you and negatively affect your memory and creativity after excessive intake of carbohydrates. Low blood sugar will put you in an anxious state on an empty stomach and make you sweat or feel dizzy. At worst, you may suffer depression. Many may attribute such symptoms to severe stress or spring fatigue, but Oriental medic Namgoong Jin of Barunmom Oriental Medicine Clinic said with proper self-diagnosis of the addiction, one can easily get better. Here's how to self-diagnose carbohydrate addiction. 1. Feeling hungrier after having breakfast than skipping it. (6points) 2. You feel very tired and don't feel like moving after eating too much. (1) 3. Always feeling very hungry and tired around 3-4 o'clock. (2) 4. After dinner, sometimes canceling appointments due to laziness. (4) 5. Wanting