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2008-03-10
Problem diagram.
Black plays.
Source:
Qi Jing Zhong Miao #444 , an ancient collection of mostly kyu level life and death problems.
Analysis:
Myron Souris
This is the kind of wonderful problem that looks impossible at first glance, and then looks more impossible (is that possible?) the longer you look.
Solution follows
(or click here to download SGF)
Correct.
Black 1 and 3 are the only moves that work!
Through 6, White captures Black's cutting stones.
The Black hane at 7 looks pointless, because White 8 easily blocks the connection.
Black 9 also looks pointless, but looks are deceiving!
See the next diagram for the follow up.
To see many more variations, play through the SGF.
Continuation.
White 10 seems to permanently separate the Black groups,
while Black's throw-in at 11 also looks pointless.
(White 12 connects to the right of White 10.)
Black 13 and 15 look like pointless ataris.
But see the next (and final) diagram!
Conclusion.
After White connects at 16, the throw-in at 17 finally makes
sense out of all of Black's seemingly pointless moves. White's
connecting moves come up 1 move short; Black catches White in
a snapback!
White variation.
White 2 can try to avoid the snapback line above, but
Black 3 and 5 force a simple connection to Black's corner.
Black variation.
Black cannot connect with the stylish play at 1.
White forces by taking the vital point at 2.
After White blocks with 4 and 6, Black no longer has the
saving snapback trick.
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