MrTenuki (KGS 3k): Please provide all possible variations and explain why optimal play is achieved by both sides. Also, please state your assumptions (e.g. Japanese rules, komi 6.5 ;-)
Sorry Herman, Your solution isn't correct. Suppose the following continuation:
It is clear the claims on the board are perfectly balanced. Also note that white has 6,5 point komi. This is the base situation.
Now white will win this game by 6,5 point (or 5,5 points if black gets the last move) which follows directly from mathematical induction, as everyone who studied mathematics should know.
For those who didn't, it is easy to see black felt behind a little. Black should claim more area (7 points) to win the game, due to the komi. There's no change in claimed area though, whilst the game got closer to the end by two moves. And every player knows the decreasing value of each move during the game. So it will be more difficult to get ahead. All white has to do is to keep the area claims in balance to win by 6,5 points.
jvloenen: This problem has been presented to a top professional once (unfortunately I can't find his name at the moment). He didn't hesitate for a single moment, placed a stone on the goban and said "I win".
Herman: I remember a similar story (maybe the same?):
Willemien but here it is at the 4-4 point. so there are atleast 2 different opinions. or is there somewhere a bug i the translation?
ThorAvaTahr: How about, black starts playing shogi?