Hovercraft
See also Joseki-related life-and-death example 2.
When the tail consists of three or more stones, and/or the outside cutting point is important (in this case a),
connect is better. This results in seki at worst. White may play
at
to seal the top edge, forcing
at
.
Making the L+2 group saves all 6 stones but this time, the other white descent (on top) is sente, as this will threaten a ko.
If white has the marked stone, for example because black threatened to connect an outside group here, the corner can now be killed.
Sandra: If it’s black turn, can it be saved?
MrTenuki: Yes-- one option would be connecting at a. The point here is simply that the marked White stone changes the status of the Black group from alive to unsettled.
Sandra: Thank you!
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2024 the Authors,
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