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Points Or Ko Threats Discussion
    Keywords: Problem

In the following position, Black can live in two ways. One way he gets more points, the other leaves less ko-threats.


[Diagram]
Diag.: Black to live

Black can live with A or B.


[Diagram]
Diag.: var 1 more points

This variation makes five points but leaves two ko-threats. White can play at A first, and later at B.


[Diagram]
Diag.: var 2 less ko-threats

Now White has only one ko-threat, namely A. Having played the ko-threat, either White has to leave a stone in atari or take gote to protect it.


I think variation 2 is better. What is your opinion ? And how do we trade off in general ? --DieterVerhofstadt

BillSpight: If we make the reasonable assumption that the area just above the corner is White territory, then the count of the two ways of living is the same. (White has a HaneTsugi? at a, Black has one at b.) Which is better depends on the circumstances, but usually variation 2 will be better. It is hard to evaluate ko threats in the abstract, but my guess is that they are worth maybe 1/6 point, on average.

TakeNGive (11k): Unless i feel unusually safe from ko (because i have more, better, threats already, or i can't see any ko on the horizon), i'll tend to take variation 2. I guess i still have the weak kyu "fear of ko" to some degree. My games usually aren't close enough to be decided by 1 point, so i get more peace of mind from denying the opponent such a juicy threat. (It interests me to note that Black had better not play 1 at b in var.2 ...)



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