The problem is quite straightforward. White and black have an equal number of liberties, so white must win the capturing race.
a is the best move. b also works, but is slightly worse for endgame purposes. c looks good, but allows black to make ko.
Table of contents | Table of diagrams ''a'' is best, ''b'' also kills, ''c'' leads to ko. Normal play. Resistance by making an eye Resistance by blocking Slightly sub-optimal W1 allows black to make ko. |
This is the normal way to play the situation. takes the stones, and white can still play a in the endgame
If black blocks at , white can simply connect at . The atari at a is oiotoshi (If black defends, white captures at b). If black plays a, we are back to a situation from the previous diagram, with moves and reversed.
Although also works, it is not as good as playing at directly. When we compare this result with the correct solution, white has an extra move at , black an extra one at . So by playing , white has lost the endgame move at .
tderz here, only can make sense in those situations where the white group lacks more liberties around 't' or white would be a black stone.