This diagram shows a simplified version of the situation. It includes a semeai between two groups, each with one eye (), with the Black group relying on the support of a ko () on the outside. There are individual outside liberties for Black (), and for White (); the shared (= common) liberties between both groups are labelled .

The - and -liberties count for White, the - and -liberties count for Black. We will name these liberties "ko-fight liberties". In this diagram we have ( + ) = ( + ) + 1, White has one more ko-fight liberty than Black does.