Snow White In The Dark Woods

This problem was presented to the International Baduk Congress 2001, and reported to the Belgian community by JanRamon. --Dieter

Snow White to escape  

Snow White is the lone white stone in the middle. The black stones constitute the dark woods. Snow White can make two steps each time (White makes two moves per turn) while one extra tree grows each time (Black makes one move per turn). No trees can grow outside the woods. Snow White must try to escape (White to make a chain reaching one of the points outside the square formed by the black stones).

At first sight it seems impossible, until one thinks of miai.

The exercise was presented as an alternative to AtariGo as teaching method. What do you think of Atari Go Teaching Method ?

I think this would be a terrible teaching method. But it is a fun problem. -Jared

This may be a stupid question, but can it actually be solved ? I though I had the solution, using miai, until I tried putting trees in the intersections of lanes. This way, you can use one tree to block two paths at once, ultimately killing White. -- uXs

''I thought so too but found out it doesn't work either for Black. If you want, make a page with your refutation and I'll try to refute it --Dieter)

If you are worried by trees growing in the intersections of lanes just remember the proverb: "The opponent's vital point is my vital point" -- SiriusBlack

Some more: actually, I'm not entirely clear on the rules: is it possible to put a tree on the fourtth line ? If it's not, then there's no problem. -- uXs

Arno: no, you're not allowed to put a tree (black stone) on the fourth line (No trees can grow outside the woods). Indeed, once you know enough to play miai, the problem is easily solved.

Why? I think if White starts, White can escape even if trees on the fourth line are allowed.

Another question: who starts? Black or White? -- uXs

Does not matter: see /Solution

Snow White to escape, alternate diagram  

Since Black is (allegedly) prohibited from playing on the fourth line, we could just as easily use this diagram for the problem ...

The white stone in the center must connect to one of the marked white stones to win.

This diagram makes the actual solution jibe with weiqi intuition a bit better.

I tried to solve this problem, but first I misunderstood the rules. By this way I found a new variant of this problem.

In the actuall problem white has won, if white comes to the fourth line.

My new rule is: White has to put the last stone on the fourth line. The last stone has to be one of the marked stone in the upper diagram.

I think there is a solution, where miai is used in a strong symetrical way. But may be I am wrong:o) QWerner I was wrong. I will delet this soon

Snow White to escape  

Bill: Does your strategy work if Black, unless otherwise forced, plays on the points?

This will work against your strategy for Black, Bill.

Snow White In The Dark Woods/RefuteBill

Bill: White gets to the fourth line?

Snow White In The Dark Woods/Solution1
Snow White In The Dark Woods/Solution2

Is there a similar solution when larger woods are used?

e.g.

Snow White to escape  

posetcay: I tested out and it doesnt seem to work when black tries to capture in large scale.

Snow White to escape  

Black's marked stones on the 4th line are used more effectively in this variation, pushing white into a dead end.