About Approach-Move Liberties (2009)
Conclusion
In the problem, after Black's hasami-tsuke, it seems best for White to answer Black's kikashi with the atari. This is not only due to White's potential territorial gain that is connected to the atari in the path of our solution, but also to Joachim's Ko-Semeai (with the hiki on the upper edge), wherein Black is behind by only one move, but would win the ko-fight, if White played the solid connection. In conjunction with the guzumi, Black's top right group has two more liberties than "usual". However, this will not affect the outcome of the Main Semeai, because White is two moves ahead there. Any move that gains Black an additional liberty will have the side-effect of giving White points. If Black does not connect the hasami-tsuke stone, he loses four points, when White chooses the Capture Variation. Black will win the game by only one point now (= 2 + 5 - 4). If Black does connect the hasami-tsuke stone, then White chooses the Semeai Variation, gaining at least three points on the left side (due to the necessary Black tenuki - during the endgame sequence there - to connect in the top right corner). White will gain a jigo now (= 2 + 3 - 3). Let us assume that Black were able to enforce gaining two more additional liberties (for a total of three), at the cost of even more territorial profit for White, then he could win the Semeai Variation - but only if White co-operates. But White will choose the Capture Variation, and win the game, due to the now grown profit (even if she got only one point compensation for Black's additional liberties #2, and #3). So, Black cannot benefit from playing the kikashi in the bamboo joint. | |