Mef: I think black is dead
The 1-2 point doesn't look like it will make Black 2 eyes, so lets try something else:
After Black's second eye has collapsed
Black doesn't have enough time to save both eyes here, so white will take one either with or by playing
should black neglect it.
is forced, because black will immediately live by playing it.
A, B and C all look miai to keep black dead
Shaydwyrm: here is another interesting move I considered, but it looks like
kills.
is strong resistance, but after
black is faced with a shortage of liberties.
Willerz: above is wrong -- this
makes a and b miai -- Black a makes 2 eyes. Black b makes a seki. So Black can live. White can kill by starting at a.
Shaydwyrm: is incorrect,
leaves white with no followup.
Shaydwyrm: This is not seki. White can fill black's outside liberties and then play A & B to put black in atari.
Willerz: Shaydwyrm is right, however I think this makes a and b miai. So Black can live. White can kill by starting at a.
Shaydwyrm: Check the diagram labeled "White 2 at A" above for why white can't kill by starting at A.
Shaydwyrm: Aha, but I have considered this as well! forces
(in a sense, though black should really tenuki instead of all of these since he's dead), and then the situation is the same as the not-seki above.
And if Black replies here?
WillerZ: White a and we're back to where we were just now.
unkx80: Referring to Alternative A, how is this?
Shaydwyrm: Looks like black has a 2 step ko, since he needs an approach move at a. He should not play his approach move at b, since that gives white a local threat at c. White can play at
, then black
, white b, black c for a seki if black is komaster.[1]
WillerZ: Doesn't this
(instead of a) give White a better result? Also, I am not sure that this
is the best
.
Shaydwyrm: This is not a better result, since black next plays b and has a direct ko instead of a 2 step ko. However, it seems you're right thatis not the best, see below.
Shaydwyrm: here also leads to ko, but it is direct.
[1]
Nando: Shaydwyrm, this doesn't look like seki to me...
Shaydwyrm: ...you're absolutely right, I guess doesn't help black after all.
at
is met with
at
. So all the ko discussion above is merely academic, how disappointing...
unkx80: Unfortunately yeah... there is no ko here.