2009-05-04

Problem diagram.
Black plays in the lower left.

Source:
Tesuji Dictionary, Vol. 1, Hasami-tsuke #10,
Segoe Kensaku & Go Seigen, Ishi Press

Solution follows    (or click here to download SGF)






























Correct.
A play at 1 is the only move if Black is going to capture something. And a play at 2 is the only move if White is going to save his stones. The sequence to 4 is forced for both sides. Black's 2 stones only have 3 liberties, so Black must reduce White's liberties faster than that!
See the next diagram for the follow up.


Continuation.
Black 5 is the only move, but White 8 appears to have won the semeai. White has 3 liberties and threatens to capture a stone.

But Black has a resource!

Black 11 catches White in a shortage of liberties. Black wins the semeai.


Black variation.
Black 5 is too slow. After 6, White has more liberties than Black's 2 stones, so Black loses the semeai.


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