(;GM[1]FF[4]SZ[19]AP[SmartGo:1.1]ST[0]
PW[Nakayama 4D]
PB[Stephenson 3D]
EV[2003 US Open]RO[1]
DT[2003-08-03]
PC[Houston, TX]
TM[7200.0]
HA[0]
KM[5.5]
RE[B+]VW[]
C[NOTE TO READ\: 

JS = John Stephenson AGA 3d 
Y = Yang Yi-lun 7p

Your viewer need to be set to show the next (upcoming) move as the character "a" for the commentary of this game to make sense. If you SGF viewer is set that way, you should see the character "a" at Q16, which is the upcoming (first) move of this game.

BEGIN COMMENTARY

JS\: Hello Mr. Yang. This is my first round game in the 2003 US Open Tournament. Would you comment this game and answer a few questions? Thank you kindly.

Y\: Of course.]
;B[pd];W[pp];B[dq];W[do]
C[Y\: Yes, empty corner is the biggest.];B[cd];W[qf];B[nc];W[pj]
C[JS\: 
Is a is too slow? I guess D8 (or E16) may be a proper move instead?

Y\: 
a is a proper move in this case, because the left side isn't that developable for black, and the lower side is developable for white.]
;B[fq];W[cq];B[cr];W[cp];B[br];W[cl]
C[JS\: 
What is the difference between a and E16 in this opening? Is the upper side the biggest public area at this moment?

Y\: 
First, the top left is most valuable area. Second, a is good for defending and making territory, and E16 is good for developing. a is the correct move in this case -- there is no big development for black.]
;B[ec]
C[JS\:
As far as the left side is concerned, should the move a should be at C14 instead because the lower left white group is strong? Is the left urgent because Black could play at C10 next?

Y\:
Yes, left side is urgent because black has an ideal extension and squeeze at C10. a is a strange move, it is slow and incomplete!  White has to play a fast move at b or a solid move at c.]
(;W[ch]
C[Y\:
a is the biggest move, the lower side is most open area.];B[nq];W[qn]
C[JS\:
Is a slack because I should continue on the bottom?

Y\:
Right. a isn't small but black has to help a weak stone at b...]
(;B[rd];W[lq]
C[Y\:
a is the proper move, black has to help that weak stone when the outside is more valuable than the corner.]
;B[pq];W[qq];B[qr];W[rq];B[or];W[op]
C[JS\: 
a seems like bad shape. O4 maybe? What should Black do?

Y\:
a is slack. b is the proper way to move out...]
(;B[mp];W[kp]
C[Y\:
a is an easy way to run. b could be better.]
(;B[mn];W[hq]
C[Y\:
a is a proper way to move out, but that isn't necessary. Black can play a forcing move at b...]
(;B[eo]
C[Does White really need to answer E5?];W[en];B[fo];W[dp];B[eq]
C[JS\:
Shouldn't white P3 and think peep N2, forcing moves?

Y\:
Yes.];W[kn]
C[I think Black is lucky to get a, agree?a is still important.];B[mr];W[fn]
;B[gn];W[fl]
C[JS\:
Is a erasing potential?

Y\:
Yes. But a is useful, so do it.];B[hp]
;W[ip]
C[JS\:
How is the timing of a? To early? Not the biggest? What is the whole board positional judgement at this moment?

Y\:
a is the 2nd biggest move. Black can play at b first, the top side is most valuable area. on the whole board position, Black is little bit better in territory.]
(;B[qh];W[ph]
C[Y\:
a is a strong move when the ladder is good for black.];B[pi];W[oi]
;B[qi];W[qj];B[pg];W[oh];B[qg];W[og]
C[Y\: Black gains.];B[pf];W[gp];B[ho];W[gq];B[go];W[lr]
C[a is useful.];B[ln];W[mq];B[np];W[ms];B[oq];W[rr]
C[Y\:
a is unecessary. Black can just play at b...]
(;B[ns];W[nr];B[km];W[jn];B[ll]
C[Y\:
This is an easy game for black.];W[lg];B[il]
C[JS\: 
Is a necessary? I cannot see it.

Y\:
Of course a is a small move.]
;W[os]
C[JS\:
Of course Black must now cut, agree?

Y\:
a is a severe cut, but not a must. Black can just take big move at b.]
(;B[oj];W[nj];B[ok];W[nk];B[ol];W[ql];B[rj];W[rk];B[nl];W[lj];B[kj];W[li]
C[Y\:
a is the best move locally. Black can tenuki and take b...]
(;B[jj]
C[I thought a was a strange move.];W[ee]
C[JS\:
How is a? Any other choices? Can Black somehow take advantage of the bad relationship between the marked stones?

Y\:
a is a proper defense but the top side isn't very valuable (one move can't be done). b is the correct move...]
TR[ee][ch]
(;B[gc];W[ce]
C[Y\:
b is the correct defense, because black doesn't need to help top side area when two marked stones were very strong.]
TR[ec][gc]
(;B[dd];W[de]
C[Y\:
a is the best extension.];B[jd];W[ld];B[lc];W[kc];B[kd];W[mc];B[lb]
;W[md];B[mb];W[nd];B[od]
C[Y\:
This is almost nothing for white.];W[ke]
C[Y\:
a is too soon. b is more important...]
(;B[ne]
C[Y\:
White has to defend at b.]
(;W[mf];B[je]
C[Y\:
Now it is the samething.];W[kf]
C[JS\:
Is a too early (can White tenuki) ?

Y\:
a is big enough.];B[ao];W[bo]
;B[ap];W[an];B[bq];W[bp]
C[Y\:
It also helps black's eye-space.];B[aq];W[bn];B[bd];W[be];B[ae]
C[Y\:
It is a good timing.];W[af];B[ad];W[bf]
C[Y\:
a is too far. b is the proper reduction...]
(;B[fi];W[ej];B[ei];W[di];B[fj];W[fk]
C[Y\:
a is a good move, it develops and also helps center three stones.]
;B[ge];W[fd];B[gd];W[fc];B[fb];W[jm];B[jl];W[ig]
C[Y\:
a is a thick move. b could be more valuable.]
(;B[hj];W[hk];B[ik];W[gj];B[gi];W[gk];B[ii];W[hh];B[hi];W[ri];B[rh];W[lk]
;B[kk];W[if];B[io];W[jp];B[gr];W[hr];B[fr];W[ie];B[jc];W[ed];B[db];W[id]
;B[ic];W[eh];B[hs];W[is];B[gs];W[jr];B[si];W[qs];B[pm];W[qm];B[nf];W[ng]
;B[kh];W[kg];B[oo];W[po];B[pl];W[qk]
C[JS\:
Recorded moves stop here. Black won the game.

Y\:
Black did very well and White has no chance at all in this game.]
)
(;B[eg]))
(;B[gk]
C[It kills connection.];W[fk];B[gi];W[ei];B[fh]
C[This is good enough for black.]))
(;W[le]))
(;B[je];W[kf];B[ne]))
(;B[bd]))
(;B[cf]
C[This move is good for increasing and decreasing, too.];W[fc];B[fb];W[eb]
;B[db];W[ed];B[dc];W[gb];B[ea];W[gd];B[hc];W[gc];B[kc]))
(;B[kc];W[kk];B[jk];W[lk];B[kl]
C[Black is fine.]))
(;B[kc]))
(;B[km];W[jn];B[ll]))
(;B[kd]))
(;B[gq];W[hp];B[mr]))
(;B[mr]))
(;B[np];W[oq];B[pr];W[mr];B[nr];W[lo];B[rr];W[sr];B[nn]
C[Black is ok.];W[mm];B[pn]
(;W[qo];B[nm];W[ml];B[pl])
(;W[qm];B[qp]
C[It hurts.])))
(;B[pr];W[qq];B[lp]))
(;W[cf])
(;W[dh]))