Xuanxuan Qijing Problem 42: White to play and kill
玄玄棋经 · Problem 42 of 347 · First-line sacrifice
Black seems to have plenty of room, and the natural first move ends in seki. The order of moves is everything: think about a sacrifice on the first line.
How to solve it
This problem is known as 'Ambush from All Sides' (十面埋伏). White begins with a sacrifice on the first line at H19, which Black captures with G19. The first move matters: starting at E19 instead leads only to a seki.
White continues with G17, the right follow-up. Black plays E16, White plays G16, and Black plays E19.
White then plays G18 and Black plays H19. White throws in at F19, Black captures it with F18, and White's K19 completes the ambush: Black cannot make two eyes.
Main line
- 1. White H19
- 2. Black G19
- 3. White G17
- 4. Black E16
- 5. White G16
- 6. Black E19
- 7. White G18
- 8. Black H19
- 9. White F19
- 10. Black F18
- 11. White K19
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.