Beginner Exercise 2 / Solution

Solution  

kills unconditionally. After , White can't play at a because of shortage of liberties.

If White plays at b, Black can later play at a. White can then capture Black's stones, but that leaves her with a three in a row shape.

See also rectangular six in the corner.

Variation  

here makes a shape called bulky five. Black plays and kills.

Bulky five  

The bulky five (marked) is shown. And that shape can be killed by playing on the vital point, marked with .

So, the Variation diagram above shows a bulky five with two points already occupied by Black, including the vital point. Try to memorize the bulky five shape. It occurs over and over again.

Incorrect: ko for life  

here is met by . After , White can start a ko for life by throw-in at - if White wins the ko, she lives by capturing at a. Unconditional kill in the Solution diagram is far better.