In this edition of the championship there have been very few surprise results and the game between newcomer Thomas Connors 3d (Belgium) and veteran Pal Balogh 6d (Hungary) concluded as forecast with a win for Balogh, the strongest player on paper. Diagram 1 shows the final board position. Balogh (White) has a clear territorial advantage and with move 140 threatens to cut the marked Black stones at A or B, forcing Black’s resignation (click here for the sgf file).

White’s territorial advantage materialised mainly due to some errors in the direction of play committed by the Belgian. Diagram 2 shows the final stage of the fuseki. Black should have played 3 at 4, which is the key point for both players on the border of their areas of ​​influence.

Diagram 1 (left) and Diagram 2

– Ranka, with game comments by Hong Seok Ui 1p (in pectore) (click here for the sgf file).