The image most people have of go...

By Rob Van Zeijst

The image most people have of go is that it is a very difficult game. Since the stones are uniform, the game may look abstract and incomprehensible to a beginner. In addition, the sheer size of the regular 19 x 19 go board can be intimidating. I therefore recommend beginners start out on a 9 x 9 and then move to a 13 x 13 board. As with almost any skill, the basics of go are easy, but the better you become the more difficult and complex you can make the game--it is up to you. But the good news is that you can enjoy the game immediately and keep enjoying it until you reach pro level. In addition to beating your opponent, the most gratifying aspects are probably understanding new concepts and finding solutions to problems. So let's tackle some problems right away.

Problem 1: The concept behind this problem, which we looked at earlier this month, is extremely important. We learned that White has two liberties but Black should not take either of them, because that would lead to White creating a shape that could not be captured. Let's recap. Where should Black play to capture the white stones?

Solution 1A: Black 1 is the vital point. White cannot play at 3 or 4 since he would lose one of his own liberties. Therefore, he plays elsewhere. Although White's stones are lost, if Black insists on actually capturing his opponent's stones, he can do so by playing at 3. White is left with one liberty, but so is Black. White can capture two stones with 4. What happens next?

Solution 1B: Again, White has two liberties. Black 5 occupies one of them. Theoretically, White can capture this lone stone by playing at 7, before Black plays there. After that, White has one liberty left where he captured black 5. Black can capture all of White's stones by playing at 5 to take away White's last liberty. In other words, resistance is futile. If White does not do anything and plays elsewhere, Black can take away White's last liberty with 7.

Solution 1C: This is the result after White's stones have been removed.

Reference 1: On the other hand, if it had been White's move, 1 is correct. Black cannot reduce White's liberties because he cannot play at A or B since stones at either of these spots would be without liberties and that would be suicide, a situation prohibited by the rules.

Problem 2: These problems are similar to problem 1, especially problem A. In each case, where should Black play if it were his turn? If it were White's turn, where should he move?

Solution 2A: In problems A, B and C, Black should play at 1 to separate his living space into two parts, A and B. These separate spaces are called eyes, and a group with two eyes stays alive. Note, White cannot play at A or B because that would be suicide. In problem C, Black must not play at C, because White will strike at 1 and kill the group. In problem D, Black needs two moves, 1 and 3, to stay alive.

Solution 2B: White 1 kills the black stones in problem A. If you are not sure why the Black stones are lost, refer to Solution 1A and 1B. White 1 is correct in problem B as it threatens to capture the marked black stones on his next move. If Black connects with 2, White 3 takes the last liberty of all of Black's stones. In problem C, White again plays at 1. Even if Black plays at 2, Black's stones cannot be saved (see Solution 1A and 1B). In problem D, White needs two moves, 1 and 3, to make sure he captures Black's stones. After 3, Black's three stones (including the marked two) are in danger of being captured at 4, but if Black connects at 4, he has only one liberty left. White occupies that liberty with 5. Play out these moves on a board to confirm that Black's stones are doomed.

Problem 3: In problems A through D, where should Black play to kill White? On the other hand, if it were White's move, where should he play to stay alive? The answers to these problems will be given next week.

Van Zeijst is a four-time European go champion and European representative at the Fujitsu World Championship.