You know when you are dealing with a life and death problem (tsumego) if you ask yourself either one of the following questions:
Can I kill my opponent’s group?
Is there a way my opponent can kill my group?
In order to answer these questions, it is a good habit to work systematically through all the possible moves that may work. A Kobayashi Koichi book or article may have recommended the following order:
Isolate the group from the center
If the group still has access to the center, it has a possibility to link up to friendly forces.
Reduce the eye space of the group under attack
The classic example is a hane, hence the proverb that there is death in the hane.
Look at the cuts
If there is a defect remaining in the group under attack, it may become a good deal easier to kill it if you manage to divide it into separate pieces. (“Divide and conquer”.)
Placements
The rationale is that the placement will mess up the shape of the group under attack. However if you start with this technique, the group under attack may still have options of running to the center or becoming a bigger group, i.e. a group with more space to create eyes. This is why you should first look at isolating it and reducing the eye space.
—Stefan (taken from senseis.xmp.net)
By pachanka
2 years ago.
Notes:
