Source:
Problem diagram.
White plays.
Analysis:
Myron Souris
Solution follows
(or click here to download SGF)
Reference diagram.
This problem is why I'm pretty sure I'll never be a good go player.
In the real game, Black defended in gote with 1 here. Then White
made at least a 20 point play elsewhere.
But can White really kill Black's corner? In playing over the game, I took several minutes here, but Black seemed safe. So if I were playing Black, I would not have been able to resist making the big play elsewhere ... and I would have lost in a few moves!
So what did I miss that a strong player saw in seconds?
See the SGF for more variations than shown in these diagrams.
Correct.
OK, the clamp tesuji at 1 is obvious.
And the follow up at 3 is even more obvious. Even I can read clearly up to this point.
But what does White do after Black connects at 4?
White 5 and 7 are forcing, but none of this appears to heading anywhere.
But White 9 is the vital point that I missed!
See the continuation in the next diagram.
Continuation diagram.
Black can try to escape down the right side with 10, but White calmly plays 11.
Black cannot make an eye down the right side, and White can make a bulky 5 in the corner.
Black dies.
Black variation.
Black can prevent White from creating a bulky 5 in the corner with 10 and 12.
However, White can change gears with 13 to win the semeai against Black's right side stones.
Black cannot gain a 2nd liberty. Black dies.
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