I Really Didn’t Mean to Play Go!
Chapter 71: The Deliberate Flaw

"He went for a hane?!"

The audience collectively gasped, their eyes filled with confusion.

"He actually chose to play a hane?"

"That move is way too risky!"

"The board is already at such a disadvantage for Black. Even just defending might not be enough to hold on, yet Black chooses such an aggressive counterattack?"

Someone swallowed hard.

"Black’s position is already thin. Instead of reinforcing, they’re forcing a counterattack. If this fails, White will leave Black utterly defenseless!"

The crowd fell silent, overwhelmed by a mix of shock and awe.

White had an overwhelming advantage, nearly unstoppable. Yet Black played with tenacity. If they managed the next few moves well, there was still a chance for mutual survival. In that case, even a loss wouldn’t be too humiliating.

But Black, facing such adversity, chose to attack—to make one final stand. It was as though Black let out one last defiant roar against White, even knowing the chances of a comeback were slim to none. On the contrary, this bold move might provoke White into a storm of attacks, leading to total annihilation.

This move wasn’t the "best" option. In fact, it could hardly be called a "good" move. But it carried a sliver of hope—a hope so small it bordered on impossible.

And yet, this very move conveyed Black’s unyielding determination, their desperate will to fight. It left everyone shaken.

He Yu, observing the board, fell into a contemplative silence.

"The difference between a typical amateur and a dojo trainee lies not just in talent, training, or effort."

"Rather, it’s this hunger to win, this reckless courage, and the spirit to never give up even in the face of despair."

"This is what sets them apart, the reason why some players make it into the dojo and strive to become professionals."

Yu Shao also seemed momentarily surprised by the hane.

"A hane, huh?"

After a brief two-second pause, he picked up a stone and placed it firmly on the board.

Snap!

Row 10, Column 14: Extend.

The boy opposite him gritted his teeth, immediately grabbed a stone, and dropped it with equal speed.

The clatter of stones echoed across the competition hall, each move raising the tension in the air.

Watching intently, Su Yiming nodded in admiration.

"White’s play is impressive!"

"After Black’s hane, there was a brilliant piercing move available. But White’s earlier moves were so precise that they used a tiger’s mouth to trade positions with Black, forcing Black to abandon that key point."

"Now White is poised to launch an attack. If White presses forward, Black will be unable to withstand the pressure."

Then Black made another move.

Snap!

Row 9, Column 13: Press!

"Huh?"

Su Yiming paused, then his eyes lit up.

"So that’s the plan. How interesting!"

What seemed like a desperate struggle was actually a clever setup.

"That press looks like a retreat born of necessity, but in reality, it forms a subtle and incredibly well-hidden trap with the earlier hane."

"Black’s shape appears weak, practically inviting an attack. Black is waiting for White to strike. If White attacks recklessly, it could open a path to survival for Black!"

Next to him, He Yu frowned as he studied the board. A vague sense of danger crept into his thoughts. The situation wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed.

Before He Yu could figure it out, Yu Shao decisively picked up another stone and placed it on the board.

Snap!

Row 6, Column 13: Probe!

"White couldn’t resist attacking?"

Su Yiming felt a twinge of disappointment. He had hoped White would see through the trap.

But then again, Black’s trap was so well-concealed that even seasoned players might struggle to notice. Black’s shape was so fragile that it begged for an attack—it was almost impossible not to take the bait.

"He’s going for it!"

Opposite Yu Shao, the boy stared intently at the board, his hand trembling as he placed another stone.

A black stone arced through the air.

Thud!

Row 8, Column 14: Press!

Yu Shao seemed unfazed, calmly placing his next stone.

Snap!

Row 8, Column 13: Block.

Finally, He Yu realized what was happening, his expression changing dramatically.

"Wait a minute!"

"Black’s weakness is a deliberate trap!"

"Yu Shao’s moves are too fast—he hasn’t thought this through and hasn’t noticed the danger of pressing forward!"

"Even though White still holds the advantage, if Black survives, there could be room for a counterattack—a chance for a comeback!"

Meanwhile, the rest of the audience had entirely different thoughts.

To them, Black’s moves were overly optimistic and would inevitably crumble under White’s overwhelming assault.

Black placed another stone.

Snap!

Row 9, Column 10: Extend!

Yu Shao’s expression remained calm as he picked up another stone.

Snap!

Row 17, Column 11: Clamp.

Su Yiming blinked, his thoughts racing. Then, suddenly, he froze.

The surrounding crowd was equally stunned.

"White played a tenuki?"

"What’s going on?"

"Why didn’t White defend?"

The move was so unexpected that even He Yu and Zheng Qin were baffled.

Only Su Yiming began to understand the intent behind the tenuki.

He looked up, his face filled with shock, and stared at Yu Shao.

"He figured it out!"

Su Yiming’s gaze locked onto Yu Shao.

"He saw through Black’s trap and is turning it against them."

"The tenuki on the right flank means he’s giving up the fight on the left."

"His understanding of thickness and life-or-death in Go is exceptional. He’s calculated that White can live on the left, even if it seems like a compromise."

"Even if Black manages to live, it won’t matter. White’s dominance on the right will be unstoppable. He’s going to crush Black completely."