Answer to Problem 1

Dia. 1. Correct

Dia. 1. The atekomi tesuji Black 1, played at the vertex of the diagonally placed marked stones, is the atekomi tesuji. It is the only move that enables Black to get a second eye and live.

Dia. 2

Dia. 2. White's atari fails. If White ataries with 2, Black captures two stones with 3 and Black is alive. That is —

Dia. 3

Dia. 3. A second eye If White captures at 'a', Black connects at 'b' for his second eye. If White 'b', Black captures the marked stone.

Dia. 4

Dia. 4. A mistake Capturing two stones with Black 1 is a mistake. Next —

Dia. 5

Dia. 5. The thrown-in tesuji White will throw in a stone at the key point of 2, robbing Black of his second eye. However, the position here is a bit more complicated. Next —

Dia. 6 Black 9: at the marked stone

Dia. 6. A ko Black can atari at 3 and play the moves to 7. After White turns with 8, Black can capture at the marked stone and start a ko. The bottom line is that Black can avoid this complication by simply playing the atekomi of 1 in Dia. 1.

Recommended reading For the novice player who aspires to reach dan-level strength, the best book for studying tesujis is A Survey of the Basic Tesujis. It presents 38 tesujis, each one introduced with a simple example, followed by a number of straightforward, uncomplicated, kyu-level problems. Of course the atekomi tesuji is included, with one example followed by six problems. If you are a kyu-level player, diligent study of this book will increase your fighting strength in the middle game by two or more handicap stones.