Weird and wonderful consequences of simple rules

Here is a nice position that Gérard Taille shared recently:

image

Assuming area scoring and superko, what is the best move for white?
(the image links to a demo board if you want to play out some variations)

Solution

image
In general, the value of A is greater than the value of B (we could say that A is a 1.5 point move and B is only a 1 point move). But due to superko shenanigans, B is strictly better in this position!

The idea is that if play continues like this, white could create a frozen life at the bottom:
image
Thus black will be forced to play 4 at G1, conceding the G5 dame to white.

The same sequence does not work if white starts at B5, because then black can play 6 on one of the triangles to unfreeze the game:
image

Original thread on lifein19x19

6 Likes