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Dia 2 was a problem presented at the 2001 Bracknell tournament. At the end of the day, it was concluded that the problem that had meant to be set was that of Dia 1.
Find an answer to Dia 1 (which will also work in Dia 2) and find a different answer for Dia 2.
14 at 9.
3 and 5 are a well known tesuji for reducing liberties on a group with the throw back in of 9. It is fairly easy to show that nothing else White can do can save the entire group.
15 at 
.
So, assuming White sees Dia 4 coming, he is better abandoning the three white stones with 10 and connecting the bulk of his group out.
Moving the atone on the 1-1 point to the left 2-1 point makes a difference to the problem. Although the sequence shown in Dias 3..5 still works, another one is now also effective.
Black 1 is the move here. If white replies at 2 in Dia 6, it reverts to the sequence of Dias 3..5. If however White replies at 2 in Dia 7, Black 3 turns out to be the key move, reducing White's liberties and threatening to connect out.
When White replies with the counter hane of 4 to block the connection and reduce Black's liberties, Black 5 is very effective. Black 5 is not possible when there is a White stone at the 1-1 point.
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British Go Association
Last updated 2004-08-10
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