|
Visualizing the Final Position by Richard Bozulich April 11, 2024 |
| Ladders are one of the first tactics a beginner learns. It is a simply concept, but positions often arise where various configurations of black and white stones are in or near the path of the ladder on the far side of the board. Determining which side the ladder favors can be tricky to work out. Sometimes you may have to redirect the path of the ladder to maneuver around the various stones in the path of the ladder so as to neutralize the effect of the opponent's stones and maximize the effect of your own stones. But perhaps the most difficult aspect in working out a ladder is to mentally visualize the final position. |
 Black to play |
Problem. White to play Black has just played 5, seemingly threatening to capture a stone in a ladder. Just on sight, without playing it out on the board or even running your finger down its path, does this ladder favor Black or White? How should White answer Black 5? |
|
|