In Joachim's Ko-Semeai, simplified here, White's sagari at is sente at any time, threatening to connect underneath to the right. So, Black must connect with a move at . Therefore, the point of cannot be counted as Black liberty.

Please note that Black's eye, at , in the centre, changes the conditions on the upper edge fundamentally, as far as White's answer to the kikashi in the bamboo joint is concerned.

We assume the exchange of White , Black to have been played already in the diagrams shown below.

If White answered Black's kikashi with the atari , there would remain two direct liberties for Black's group.

It does not change the matter, should Black connect his stone in atari, with here.

White's answer at still leaves Black's group with two liberties, one direct liberty , and one approach-move liberty .

However, if White answered Black's kikashi with the solid connection , there would remain three liberties for Black's group, two direct liberties , and one approach-move liberty .

This is one more liberty than with the atari, so Black will win the ko-fight (in the real problem) now.