Xuanxuan Qijing · Problem 38
Xuanxuan Qijing · Problem 38. Go, Black to play. Study 9 reference plies, try both sides and branch from the replay.
Site coordinates run A–S left to right and 1–19 top to bottom; A1 is the top-left intersection.
Read the position, one decision at a time
Try the position first, then open the notes. They explain measurable changes in the reference, not every possible variation.
Reveal step-by-step explanations
1. Black · F17
This move captures 0 stones. After captures, the connected group containing the new stone has 1 stones and 3 liberties: F18, E17, G17. Diagonal neighbours are not part of the same group. More than one liberty does not by itself establish life; examine the next move.
2. White · E17
This move captures 0 stones. After captures, the connected group containing the new stone has 5 stones and 4 liberties: D17, E19, D18, F18. Diagonal neighbours are not part of the same group. More than one liberty does not by itself establish life; examine the next move.
3. Black · D18
This move captures 0 stones. After captures, the connected group containing the new stone has 1 stones and 2 liberties: D17, D19. Diagonal neighbours are not part of the same group. More than one liberty does not by itself establish life; examine the next move.
4. White · D19
This move captures 0 stones. After captures, the connected group containing the new stone has 1 stones and 2 liberties: C19, E19. Diagonal neighbours are not part of the same group. More than one liberty does not by itself establish life; examine the next move.
Understand this position
19 ranks × 19 files · 14 black stones · 8 white stones
Count the liberties of each connected group, not the empty points next to just one stone. Orthogonal contact connects; diagonal contact does not. Try your move, count captures and recount the resulting group’s liberties before comparing the reference.
Read the reference line (9 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Black
F17 - White
E17 - Black
D18 - White
D19 - Black
C19 - White
D17 - Black
F18 - White
G17 - Black
F19