In this respect, the writings of Yoshinori Kano, 9-dan, are a great help. He wrote 16 booklets filled with drills on capturing, killing and saving stones and groups, basic shapes, some endgames, and much more. These booklets have been translated into English in four volumes under the general title Graded Go Problems for Beginners. This series concentrates on tactics, the most important skill a beginner can acquire. Let's look at problems similar to those in Kano's booklets.

Life and death

As you know, a group is alive if it has two eyes. In the following problems, Black plays first and ensures that his group will stay alive. Try first to solve each problem without reading the text and by visualizing the next move in your mind. If you can't remember which moves are already on the board and which are not, it means you need to practice more. If you cannot find the answer within five to 10 minutes, read the hint in the text. In the end, you might need to reconstruct the situation on the board. However, do this only as a last resort.

Problem 1: To make two eyes, find the vital point to split the space into two parts.

Problem 2: To make eyes, you usually should make your living space as large as possible. If Black plays at the vital point of this shape, a ko will be left.

Problem 3: Making the largest possible space here does not guarantee life. Instead, play at the vital point to split the space into two parts.

Problem 4: This is a tricky problem. If Black tries to save all of his stones he dies. If Black is generous and gives away stones, he can live. Where should he play to make two eyes?

Problem 5: Although it is usually best to make as much space as possible to ensure two eyes, you should aim for the vital point here. The three marked stones have a weakness--the cutting point at A. If White had a stone at A as well, Black would be dead no matter where he plays. As it is, Black can live if he plays first. Where should he play?

Solution 1: Black 1 makes two eyes. If White plays at A, Black descends to B and vice versa. As you see, Black has split his total eye space into two parts. Note, if Black plays at B instead of 1, White would kill the black stones if he plays at 1.

Reference 1: Another move that looks reasonable is black 1. However, white 2 through 4 start a ko. After black 5, White can connect at A and it is still a ko because Black cannot connect at 4 right away. He first has to capture at B so White can capture the ko at 4 again.

Solution 2: Black 1 is correct. White 2 looks like the vital point, but Black blocks at 3. This makes one eye, while black 5 and 7 capture white 2 to make the second eye.

Reference 2: Black 1 looks like the vital point, but white 2 and 4 force a ko. Even though Black can take the ko first with 5, he will not remain alive.

Solution 3: Black 1 is correct. No matter where White plays next. Black can make one eye at A and another at B.

Solution 4A: Black 1 is an unlikely candidate, but this is the only move that ensures life. White 2 captures four stones, but Black fights back by playing at 3 where the crossed stone was. Next, White can capture four more stones by playing at 4.

Solution 4B: However, black 5 immobilizes White's stones. The marked black stone is black 3 in the previous diagram. As you can see, none of White's marked stones can escape, which means Black has two eyes.

Solution 5: Black 1 is the only move that provides two eyes. White 2 looks like a strong move, but quietly connecting with 3 is good enough. Because of the cut at A, White cannot connect at B as this would jeopardize all of his marked stones.

Next week, we will do some more basic visualization.

Want to find out more? Come to Ben's Cafe in Takadanobaba (03-3202-2445 or www.benscafe.com), where the English-speaking go community congregates every Sunday starting at 11 a.m. You can enjoy free lessons until 1 p.m.

Van Zeijst is a four-time European go champion and European representative at the Fujitsu World Championship.