Beginner Exercise 203 / Solution

Black to live.  

is the proper solution.

Continuation 1.  

If white plays at any of the three points marked a, black captures at b, making the second eye, and the remaining two a points are miai to connect the eyes.

Comment: If white plays at the middle a, black could also play on one of the side a, making b and the remaining a miai. White has then the same amount of threats, but black has the chance to gain two additional points later if white tenukis.

Continuation 2.  

If white plays instead, black must capture with . Black then captures the throw-in at and a and b are miai.

Some failed attempts:

Failure.  

After there is no way for black to make a second eye. at fails in similar fashion.

Failure.  

After , takes away the second eye. Playing at a does not help; black can capture but still does not get a second eye. Playing at b does not help either since white has enough time to escape.

Failure.  

does not work either: after the exchange of and , the throw-in at dashes black's hopes for a second eye.