( 977)

(Referenced by 72; 77)

We will first consider White's connection at the lower cutting point, which is not correct. Black has one more liberty than "usual", according to the increased number for the Punishment Semeai Liberty Level. But White's centre group still has five liberties. At first sight, this seems to be the same situation as with the gain of one additional liberty by Black ( 961). But it is not, as we discovered lately, and will show below ( 997). However, as usual, we will explain the sub-variation first that starts with White having captured the ko with her last move.

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Black connects the hanezeki's tail, and continues with occupying liberties of White's centre group. White is unable to connect the ko, as with here, because Black simply will play through, and win the semeai outright.

Ko: ; ;

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However, it does neither help White to follow Black with occupying liberties. Black threatens to give atari with a move at , so White needs atari-ko-threats.

Ko:

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In the end, White needed three atari-ko-threats to win the ko-fight. However, we assume that White has no option to establish more than one of this special type of ko-threats.

Black will win with ease.