In commenting on a paper submitted ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

In commenting on a paper submitted by a physicist colleague, Wolfgang Pauli said: "This isn't right. It isn't even wrong." Pauli (1900-1958) obviously meant by this statement that the solutions presented in the paper were so ludicrous they were "worse than wrong." In go, there is no way we can mathematically prove or disprove that a certain move is the best we can possibly play, especially when strategy is involved. The best way to prove the validity of our moves is to win a game, but even this does not mean that every move we make is the right one. However, the least we can do is to get our concepts right, so that we will at least be within the realm of possible solutions, even if the move in question is wrong.

Diagram 1: In the sixth game for the Meijin title, challenger Shinji Takao (White) captured the title from defender Cho U. After black 1 and 3, White's marked stones are in danger. How should he deal with that? The best move is white 4--this is the solution to last week's Problem 1 (see References 1, 2 and 3). In the sequence to 14, White strengthens his marked stones while Black is forced to play at 15 to defend his eye shape. White 18 and 20 are typical of Takao's style--slow but thick. Black launches a strong attack with 21 through 25, then applies pressure with 27 and 29. However, White answers with 30, again one of those "right" moves (see Reference 4).

Reference 1: White 1 seems to make a connection while aiming at invading at A. However, Black immediately exchanges 2 for 3 to forestall this invasion, then switches elsewhere, waiting for a chance to cut at B.

Reference 2: In response to White's attachment, black 2 looks like the right move, but Black cannot cut at 8 after white 7. White 9 through 15 set up a ladder that captures Black's stones.

Reference 3: Black 2 looks like a strong move, but white 3 is a clever response. The moves through 11 can be expected. If Black now wants to save his marked stones, he must defend with 12. However, White's marked stones are not dead yet. White can play at A or B and threaten Black's eyes with C. This dooms Black.

Reference 4: White's marked stone is at the vital point. If Black plays at 1, White cuts with 2, forcing Black to defend with 3. This exchange alone forestalls a Black invasion at A. Then, White can continue reinforcing his center stones, such as at B.

Diagram 2 (35 and 40 capture the ko around the marked stone): Black ignores white 30 and attacks with 31. White then starts a ko with 32. By ignoring the threat at 41, White wins the ko with 42, but black 43 and the following moves are strong. However, white 52 is a clever move. White cannot cut at A (see Reference 5). In the sequence that follows, White splits Black's groups and even manages to squeeze in 64 through 70 to make a connection underneath. If black plays at B, white would play at C. Suddenly, Black is eyeless and weak on both sides while White rules the center with 72 and 74. In the end, White wins by 3.5 points to grab the Meijin title and ¥36 million in prize money.

Reference 5 (black 7 connects at 4, white 26 connects where the marked stone is, white 30 connects at 21 and white 32 captures the ko at 28): This looks like a complicated problem, but pros can read this variation in a flash. In short, it becomes a ko that Black cannot win. In this sequence, after 31, White captures the ko first at 28 and Black has no suitable ko threats.

Solutions to last week's problems

Solution 1: You were asked how White should respond to black 1 and 3. The answer is white 4 in Diagram 1.

Solution 2: Blocking with 1 through 7 and connecting around 9 is correct. This incapacitates White's marked stone and works well with Black's marked stone.

Reference 6: Although it is a joseki, black 1 and 3 are not good in this situation because White's marked stone shows synergy while Black's marked stone is disconnected.

Solution 3: Black 1 is correct. White has no choice but to play at 2, but now black 3 through 7 finish the job. White cannot approach from A or B, so White's stones in the corner die.

New Problem

Problem 1: Where should Black play to capture White's group? Be careful: A false move may mean life, not death.

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