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December 1997's Go Answer of the Month

This month's problem resulted from club discussions about Yutopian's "The Art of Go - Connecting Stones", page 7.

Dia 1 - Why are both of these moves wrong?

The first thing to determine is what are Black and White trying to achieve in this corner. It is apparent that the black group in the corner is short of eye space and is unlikely to live by itself. Therefore:

• Black is trying to use '1' to connect his corner stones to the outside stones.
• White is trying to prevent this linkage.

Dia 2 - The correct Black 1.

Black 7 at 2.

This shows the correct way that Black should play. This is one well known occasion when you shouldn't play in the centre of a symmetrical situation.
(1 at 5 also works.)

Dia 3 - The correct White 2 (to the wrong Black 1).

This shows the correct way that White should play. Black 5 realises his error and makes the best of the bad situation.

Dia 4 - An alternative Black 5.

In this diagram, Black didn't realise he was being cut off at move 5. This is worse than Dia 3.
How much worse for Black is Dia 4 than Dia 3? Answer at bottom of this page.

Dia 5 - The wrong White 2.

In this diagram, White successfully cuts Black off, but starting from the wrong side. The end result of which is that Black is able to live in the corner.
This is an enormous error for White.

How much worse for Black was Dia 4 than Dia 3?

• 5 (in Dia 4) is captured - 2 points
• 1 is captured, but White must fill - 1 point
• 2 is saved - 2 points
• Black must block to the right of 2 - 1 point

A grand total of 6 points!

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