In addition, White has got an outside ko () here. White has five ko-fight liberties, Black has four ko-fight liberties, so EX = 1.

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White captures the ko "late".

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The cycle of a triple-ko is completed. The game ends with "no result", according to Japanese rules. Please remember that this case, which is good for Black, can only happen after a White mistake.

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EX = 2
If we give White's group another liberty, we can assume that White will be able to avoid the triple-ko, mentioned above.

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White captures the ko "early". She might even start occupying Black's liberties, instead.

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Black takes another shared liberty. It will not help him to capture the ko in the upper left, instead.

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Black re-captures the ko in the centre. Playing further ko-threats, instead, will not change the matter.

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White can safely connect the initial ko now.

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White gives atari on Black's group, and wins.

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Black captures the ko in the upper left, instead of taking another shared liberty. His hopes on establishing a triple-ko will end in vain.

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Again, White simply connects the initial ko. Black cannot give atari with , because White will capture the central ko with .

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Black connects the ko in the upper left, and reaches a seki. But in the problem, this will not help him overall.