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March 2005's Go Answer of the Month

Dia 1 Does Black 3 work?

In Yilun Yang's problem book "Rescue and Capture", problem 3's answer starts with moves 1 and 2, but Black 3 is not discussed. If it works, and captures the white stone below 3, then I believe it is better than the published answer. But does it work?

Dia 2 The book answer.

This gives black 4 points in the corner less 1 point nette for the two stone capture followed by one stone recapture on the bottom edge.

Dia 3 Black 3 from Dia 1.

9 at 6.

This is at least 9 points to black (capture of 1 stone + 4 stones + territory of 4).

Dia 4 If White tries to kill Black.

Then things are even worse for White.

A reader's comments

Myron S pointed out that if Black plays the 3 under discussion, White can let Black live in the corner (which Black is entitled to do) and gain on the outside.

Dia 5 & 6 White gains on the outside.

In Dia 5, Black's stones have suffered too many cuts for him to be happy with it. In Dia 6, the cuts are prevented at the expense of allowing white to form a base at the bottom left. Note also that white A is sente requiring a response at B - useful if white needs to make eyes in a hurry.

My conclusion is that Black can play 3, but then correct White play leaves Black in a worse position than the book answer. Therefore in fact Black 3 is the wrong move.

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Last updated 2005-06-11
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