When I am asked by go students how they can become stronger players in the shortest possible time, I first tell them there are no simple, general answers. A player must rely on what he is best at, for example, fighting, the opening, or the endgame, to outplay his opponent. If this describes you, the best way to improve is to leave your strong points alone and concentrate on your weakest points.

In the majority of cases, reading (or calculating) forms the weakest link. Here is some material that can help you.

Geta--capturing in a net

Problem 1: As the white group in the corner is alive, the marked white stone splits the Black stones. How can you capture it?

Problem 2: Black needs to capture the white stones. He can't do so right away. However, with some preparation, he can. How?

Problem 3: The only way for Black to link up his stones is by trapping the marked white stone. How?

Problem 4: Black's marked stones are in trouble. However, he can ensure the capture of White's marked stones. Where should he move?

Problem 5: White's marked stones split the black formations. How can Black trap them?

Solution 1: Black 1 ensures the capture of the marked white stone. Instead of this move, Black can reach the same goal by playing at A. All other moves fail.

Solution 2: Black must force the exchange Black 1 for White 2 before playing at 3 to trap the marked white stones. If he omits the 1-for-2 exchange, White can play at A and Black can't answer at B to prevent the marked stones from escaping (White will cut at C).

Solution 3A: Black 1 is the correct move. White 2 is the strongest counter, but black 3 ensures the capture of the marked stone.

Solution 3B: White can try the strong combination of 4 and 6. While sacrificing the marked black stone, black 7 and 9 capture the marked white stone. Mission accomplished.

Solution 4A: Black 1 traps the marked white stones in a net. White can't escape with a move like A. Black cuts with B, followed by white C, black D, white E and black F. White is out of options.

Solution 4B: White 2 shows more venom. However, black 3 takes away a liberty and freedom in general. White can't escape as the sequence to 9 shows. After this move, White's stones are in atari (down to their last liberty) and he can't connect at 3 either.

Solution 5A: Black 1 captures the marked stones. After the forcing moves 6 and 8, White seems to pull off a major success by capturing with 10. However#0x85# Solution 5B: Black 11 through 15 force White to play 12, 14 and 16. Next, black 17 catches the culprits. The exchange white 18 for 19 is fruitless. White is trapped.

Caution: Problems in go books are much easier to solve than those in real games.

Semi-geta, or squeeze

Have a look at Solution 5 again. Black did trap all of White' stones, but even if he hadn't--for example, if he hadn't been able to connect at 19--the result would still be terrific for him. Black's wall is overwhelming. We often refer to these semi-geta shapes as a "squeeze."

Problem 6: Based on solutions 5A and B, can you find a good combination for Black?

Problem 7: Black has two stones clinging to White's wall. How can Black save one of them using a nice squeeze?

Problem 8: This kind of situation often happens in real life. The marked black stones are dead. How can Black squeeze the most out of their existence? Find the answers to problems 6 to 8 next week.

Want to find out more? Come to Ben's Cafe in Takadanobaba (03-3202-2445 or www.benscafe.com), where the English-speaking go community congregates every Sunday starting at 11 a.m. You can enjoy free lessons until 1 p.m.

Van Zeijst is a four-time European go champion and European representative at the Fujitsu World Championship.