I just reached 23 kyu on OGS - here are some techniques that actually helped

I started playing 19x19 one week ago at 25 kyu.

Since then, I’ve played 36 games and won 21 (58%). Not bad — but I kept making the same mistakes, and my rating stayed stuck. I’d hit 24 kyu, lose a game or two, then drop right back to 25.

Today, that changed.

I won my last 8 games in a row (100%) and jumped from 25 kyu → 24 kyu → 23 kyu.

Here’s what worked:

1 | Place stones in corners then side territories first before invading. (Source: scissorbutch [23k])

I knew this, but I felt pressure to place some stones in opponent's territory... But they're right.

2 | Don't attach to single opponent stones. It makes it stronger. (Source: scissorbutch [23k])

3 | But do attach when your group already has some strength. (Source: scissorbutch [23k])

4 | Invade in the middle with high move, then stay connected. (Source: Opening Theory Made Easy by Otake Hideo)

5 | If opponent attacks, attach from below - not above - to stay connected.

6 | I started taking game review more seriously and created a Figma file with screenshots.

I don't think it's helping yet, but it's beautiful 🤩

I took huge inspiration from GoDave89's video on how to do this.

P.S. I'm cokiengchiara on OGS.