Snapback Problem 16 / Solution

White 5 and 7 at 3, Black 6 at 1  

The White group is dead. The best resistance I found was to set up a nice snapback to catch the marked stones with .

Is White saved?  

White plays b, black captures with a, white b again capturing all circled stones.

Nope!  

But the white shape has an obvious weak point!

White dies  

After , White won't be able to set up another snapback because of the liberty at a.

Playing 2 in 3 does not work either: Black captures the marked stone with 2, White attempts a Ko with 5 but Black declines, connecting all its stones together (at the location of the marked white stone). White is left with only one real eye.

White captures first  

Capturing the two Black stones won't help for long.

Black 4 at 1  

White dies even faster.