Bill: And if connects?
Brent: Oh, right. is much better, thanks!
From this last variation, it looks as though Black can only expect two points of territory[1], although of course he captures more white stones as well...?
If White is allowed to play (it really doesn't matter where Black plays first), then White almost fills with a bulky five and Black is dead.
[1] Bill: 3.5 points of territory plus 4 captured stones.
For extra credit, why is it only 3.5 points of territory and not 4?
(Why did White play ? Because we assume that the outside is White territory.
saves 1 point.)
Brent: I'm still not sure about miai counting, fractional points, etc. But I'm guessing the answer is that a play at a is worth one point in gote, hence 0.5 in miai counting. (right?) If Black at a, then Black has one connected group surrounding a bent four -- hence four points. If White at a, then Black will eventually have to defend at b (probably after White c which is now sente), and Black only gets 3 points.
Is this at all correct? Even if it is, did I describe it correctly? Please teach me... (=
unkx80: For me I will accept this, but I will leave it to the endgame expert to have the final say... LoL. =P
Bill: Right you are, Brent! :-)
If Black plays at , he will have 4 points, while if White plays there, Black will have only 3 points. After
, Black will either have to protect with
, or White has two ko threats with
-
and
-
.
Since this is a gote position, we count Black's territory as the average, 3.5 points.
Brent: I get it, thanks!