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By Brad Woodward 21k
I think a lot of up-
and-coming players look at taking a handicap as having to wear "training
wheels", and seek to play an even game as soon as possible, thinking it will be
more fun and interesting. I learned just the opposite at the recent Greg Lefler
Memorial Tournament.
Imagine
you're fighting in a gladiatorial arena against an enormous brute. Since you're
a 98-pound weakling, the ringmaster hands you nine weapons to even the odds.
Would you hand them back and say you preferred to experience what a "real fight"
would be like? And even if you take the weapons, your chances are probably less
than even because you're not skilled in their
use.
I have no idea how to
properly use handicap stones. I try to wall off as much territory as possible
before my opponent destroys me. The stronger players say I keep getting lost in
the "Bermuda Triangle" There is an entire skill-set that goes with using hand
icap stones properly that, if learned and used, will be of tremendous benefit
when you are ready to play even games. You learn how to attack with star point
stones, fight off moyo invasions, make the opponent live small, attack while
building thickness, win while you're still ahead and-most importantly-not to be
intimidated by your opponent.
Once
you've gotten the hang of taking a handicap, you switch sides and play White, as
I did in Rochester (although I wasn't as ready as I would have liked to have
been). You learn that it takes an entirely different skill-set to win when you
start off trailing by so many points. And when you realize your opponent hasn't
learned to use those star point stones yet, you'll be very grateful for those
handicap games you played as a 24 kyu. And as you work on building your skills
as White, you'll understand and appreciate why those higher-ranked players are
asking you to take the handicap.
Check out Woodward's Go Blog, "The Axis
of Heaven" at http://www.jitsuyo.blogspot.com
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