I Really Didn’t Mean to Play Go!
Chapter 89: Counterattack

At this moment, White placed another stone.

Thud!

Column 16, Row 9—Two-Space Extension!

The move left many spectators visibly stunned and confused.

"After sacrificing stones, White didn’t launch a direct assault on the lower-left corner but instead shifted focus to a two-space extension on the right?"

"Having sacrificed stones, shouldn’t White press the attack relentlessly, storming the lower-left to create a situation of mutual dominance?"

"Yeah, why extend the battle lines now? Isn’t this lacking in cohesion?"

In their view, White had already chosen the aggressive route of sacrificing stones, and with the setup already pressuring the lower-left corner, the logical step would be a swift and overwhelming invasion.

This two-space extension, however, seemed to lack focus.

The crowd murmured in low voices, puzzled by the decision.

"Not cohesive enough?"

Xu Zijin, standing among the spectators, silently listened to the discussions around her.

"No… that’s not it at all!"

Her eyes remained fixed on the board as understanding dawned.

"From a local perspective, directly invading the lower-left would indeed be the most cohesive move. But considering the overall position, that’s not the case!"

"White realized that after sacrificing those stones, while there’s an attacking opportunity, it isn’t strong enough to lead to a decisive result in the lower-left skirmish. It could all end up in vain!"

"That’s why White chose to shift focus, extending to the right flank instead. By elongating the battle lines, White accumulates strength and waits for new changes in the board position before making a final decision!"

"Even though White played so aggressively in the opening by sacrificing stones, they’ve maintained composure, quickly assessing the situation. This tenuki can actually be seen as a balanced, well-calculated response, encompassing the entire board!"

Xu Zijin glanced at Su Yiming, then at Yu Shao.

Her thoughts involuntarily drifted to the games she had played against each of them before. In both instances, she had been completely outmatched from start to finish, with no room to fight back. Both players were far beyond her reach, unattainable heights.

Now, these two were facing off against each other.

Who would emerge victorious in this battle?

Yu Shao lowered his gaze to the board, carefully considering the extension at Column 16, Row 9, before placing another stone.

Thud!

Column 17, Row 11—Small Knight’s Move!

Su Yiming immediately responded.

Thud!

Column 16, Row 14—Large Knight’s Move!

The two players alternated their moves, the black and white stones dotting the board like stars, illuminating the chessboard’s long night.

The sounds of stones hitting the board and the clicking of the timer alternated rhythmically.

"White’s play is so aggressive!"

Someone stared at the board, struggling to put their thoughts into words.

"White is directly invading Black’s central territory, seeking a fight to gain an advantage elsewhere. It’s as if the earlier psychological blow from Black’s brilliant three-move sequence in the upper-left never affected them at all."

"True, the sacrifice move already revealed their determination, but it’s still hard to believe White could maintain such fighting spirit. These recent moves are pure aggression and desperation!"

"Yet Black is countering each move seamlessly. White’s attacks, though fierce, feel somewhat outdated, and Black is expertly dismantling them one by one, leaving no openings."

"Even so, that sacrifice move from White was terrifying. If I were in their shoes and faced Black’s earlier three-move sequence in the upper-left, I wouldn’t even know where to start!"

"At least you’d still be trying to figure it out. If I were White, after that jumping move from Black, I’d probably have resigned right there. I just can’t comprehend that level of thought process!"

Someone shook their head. "It’s overwhelming… like being completely powerless."

The crowd fell silent again.

Even now, glancing at the upper-left, they still felt a lingering unease from Black’s brilliant sequence of three moves. White’s daring choice to sacrifice stones had shocked them to their core.

Thud!

The crisp sound of a stone hitting the board resonated once more.

Column 14, Row 5—Connect!

"Connecting directly?"

Su Yiming’s eyes narrowed as he studied the board.

"Despite my attempts to open up the board, his defenses are flawless, leaving me no opportunities!"

"My next move could be to solidify with a peep to stabilize the position, but even if I do that, it’s unlikely I’ll be able to fully capture Black’s stones."

"In that case, I won’t stabilize. I’ll jump out directly, threatening to clamp down on the lower-left while testing Black’s response!"

Having made up his mind, Su Yiming wasted no time, swiftly placing a white stone.

Thud!

Column 11, Row 15—Jump!

After pressing the timer, Su Yiming looked up at Yu Shao.

"So, how will you respond to this move?"

Yu Shao’s eyes remained downcast, fixed on the board.

Without hesitation, he reached into his bowl and picked up a black stone.

Thud!

Column 17, Row 9—Attach!

"Black attached directly to White, maneuvering along the right flank and counterattacking White!"

The room fell eerily quiet as everyone fixed their eyes on the board. They sensed that Black and White were on the verge of a fierce and decisive battle on the left flank.

"He shifted immediately!"

Su Yiming’s expression darkened slightly. Black’s response was even more aggressive than he had anticipated.

Facing White's decision to forgo reinforcing and instead jump to clamp down on the lower-left, Black responded tit-for-tat. He also ignored the lower-left, seemingly indifferent to White's threats, and instead latched onto White's stones along the right edge.

"It’s too early to attack the lower-left directly. The forces haven’t been consolidated yet. He immediately saw through it!"

"He’s like a lion lurking in the grass—unbelievably sharp and utterly calm. But the moment he catches a whiff of an opportunity, he pounces on his prey with lightning speed!"

"Still…"

"Perhaps this isn’t such a bad thing!"

Su Yiming pulled a white stone from the bowl and placed it tightly against Black’s stones.

Thud!

Column 17, Row 8—Hane!

Yu Shao responded immediately with a black stone.

Thud!

Column 16, Row 8—Cut!

White followed almost instantly, placing another stone.

Thud!

Column 17, Row 10—Atari!

"White directly played an atari? So aggressive!"

He Yu’s expression turned grave as he focused intently on the board. He could already sense the ferocity of this white stone, determined to fight Black to the death and seize control of the right-hand side.

Black, like a falling star, placed another stone on the board.

Thud!

Column 18, Row 9—Extend!

The spectators were all utterly absorbed in the unfolding match, unwilling to even blink.

With the continuous placement of stones, the battle between Black and White on the right-hand side grew increasingly intense and intricate.

"White extended with that move?"

As the game progressed, He Yu’s expression grew puzzled.

If White were aiming for a killing blow, he should have played a flying press.

But soon, realization dawned on He Yu, and his face lit up with astonishment.

"No, I had it all wrong!"

"White isn’t aiming for control of the right edge—he’s after the center! These moves are unyielding. By extending outward, Black now faces a critical decision: how to handle the four Black stones along the right flank."

"If Black jumps to a one-space extension below, White can stabilize with a peep. Should Black then attempt to fly out, White can immediately atari Black’s stones!"

"In this sequence, even if Black remains in sente and secures territory in the lower area with a 3-3 invasion, White’s outer formation will become significantly stronger, leaving Black’s stones in the upper-right still vulnerable."

"Black’s 3-3 corner grab would leave him disadvantaged in the fight for influence over the center. White… White would then have a clear path to expand in the central area!"

"In this scenario, even with the earlier losses in the upper-left, White’s sacrifice in the lower-left combined with the potential for central dominance would result in an evenly balanced position!"