Xuanxuan Qijing Problem 38: Black to play and kill
玄玄棋经 · Problem 38 of 347 · Placement and shortage of liberties
White's eye space is wide but thin. Play in the middle of it, and look for the follow-up that leaves White short of liberties.
How to solve it
White's group on the top needs two eyes. Black strikes at the middle of its shape with F17.
If White answers at E17, Black's D18 is the key move: it leads to a shortage of liberties. White plays D19, Black plays C19, and White captures a stone with D17. Black then plays F18 and, after White's G17, F19. White cannot make two eyes.
If White answers at G17, Black plays C19. After White's D18, Black's E17, White's D17, Black's H19 and White's G19, Black's D19 leaves White without enough eye space.
If White answers at F18, Black plays E17 and, after White's D17, G17. White's C19 is met by D19, and after White's D18 Black finishes with H19.
Main line
- 1. Black F17
- 2. White E17
- 3. Black D18
- 4. White D19
- 5. Black C19
- 6. White D17
- 7. Black F18
- 8. White G17
- 9. Black F19
Solution checked against Sensei's Library.
Play it out on the board
Place the stones yourself and see the refutation when you miss. All the Xuanxuan Qijing problems as quick lessons.