: ( 648qa)
Black enlages his territory in the right centre, pre-empting White's wedge here.

:
White reduces Black's territory in the right centre.

:
White plays her kikashi in the lower left corner.

Black plays 2/2 reductions.

Before the end of the game, he will have to capture at .

Capture Variation:

Compared to the superordinate variation, ...

• White got an additional point of territory at the upper edge.
• Black got an additional point of territory in the right centre.

In total, gains and losses compensate for each other.

White + 2 => White + 2

Semeai Variation:

Compared to the superordinate variation, ...

• White got an additional point of territory at the upper edge.
• White captured one Black stone less at the upper edge, but one more in the right centre, so the net effect is zero.
• Black destroyed one point of White's territory in the right centre.

In total, gains and losses compensate for each other.

White + 2 => White + 2