Sunday Problem #79

Published 5 Dec 2021 by antti (last edited 15 Feb 2022)

This is an original problem arranged from a training game.

Black to play. Fighting the kō with Q19 can be a valid choice, but what if Black prefers to live unconditionally?

Solution
Solution (1)
Black 1, increasing the group’s eye space while threatening to connect towards the left, is the correct starting move. White intercepts with 2, and black 3 then further improves the group’s eye shape.
If White tries to gouge out Black’s second eye with 4, Black captures four white stones with up to 9 because of White’s liberty problem in the corner.
Solution (2)
If White instead tries 4 here, Black secures his centre eye with 5. This time, when White gouges out the second black eye with 6–8, Black instead relies on the tesuji of 9 to connect to the left.

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