Xuanxuan Qijing Problem 65: White to play and kill
玄玄棋经 · Problem 65 of 347 · First-line placement
Black has room for two eyes along the top edge, but the stones are short of liberties. Find the first-line point that spoils both eyes at once. The points next to it only help Black.
How to solve it
White's placement at H19 on the first line kills. Black has three ways to resist.
If Black plays F18, White plays G19, and Black cannot get both C19 and F19.
If Black plays C19, White plays F19. Black cannot capture this stone, even by playing G19, because of a shortage of liberties.
If Black plays G19, White plays F18. After Black's C19, White's E18 aims both to capture with G18 and to destroy the eye with B19.
The order matters. If White starts with F18, Black plays C19, and H19 then comes too late: Black secures an eye with F19.
Main line
- 1. White H19
- 2. Black F18
- 3. White G19
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.