Xuanxuan Qijing Problem 2 / Solution

Solution  

The clamp of is the solution. The strongest resistance black can try is a; b creates too many cutting points, while c allows white to live in the corner.

Resistance 1: Connection  

After black connects, white connects under with and lives through a complicated running fight. Although black can try A or B, neither will kill white.

Resistance 2: Tiger's mouth.  

After at , white can live with a or escape with b.

Resistance 3: Descent  

Black descends.

 

Next white threatens to capture the marked black stones. If Black reduces White to one eye with , then after , Black can't escape.

 

If Black plays this choice of (or Black a-White b-Black c) to rescue the stones below, then makes miai of capturing the two marked stones or playing d to make two eyes.

Descent follow-up ( error)  

Note that the order of moves is important. If white play like this...

Descent follow-up (continued)  

This variation fails because white is short on liberties, so white's exchange of for in the previous diagram is premature.