Xuanxuan Qijing Problem 34 / Solution

Point of symmetry  

In a sense this is a symmetrical shape because 'x' and 'y' plays the same role - sente for black.

White has two obvious choices to try to make the second eye, namely 'a' and 'b'.

Attempt 'a'

 

Black connects out with the sente at . Next, takes away whites eye space. White can't capture the black stones with .

 

White can try to struggle more, but it doesn't work.

.

Attempt 'b'

 

is met by . If white tries here, again, black plays the sente move at , and then takes away white's eye space with .

 

here is countered by ; white can't get both 'x' and 'y'. Alternatively, black can play at 'x', but the aji is slightly worse on the right side.

 

Finally, for here, black just make atari and connect.

Failure

 

Making atari first doesn't work, next white gets an eye with either 'x' or 'y'.

 

here, white tries to make an eye with . is a smart move that destroys the eye, but white makes an eye with .

Another failure  

Maybe this is too obvious.