Beginner Exercise 204 / Solution

Solution  

In this problem, Black cannot live unconditionally. We start off by playing at , which reduces the liberties of the stones by one.

Solution  

If wants to kill, then the number of liberties of the stones is further reduced by one. This enables to start a ko for life.

Failure

Failure  

Although also reduces the number of liberties of the stones by one, destroys the eye and does not have to reduce the number of liberties of the stones. So Black loses the capturing race.

Failure  

Although cutting at seems like a reasonable move, is a clever move that kills.