What do go amateurs fear most? Getting cut tops the list. And the situation that causes nightmares is the cross-cut.

The main idea behind the problems and answers presented is visualization of possible follow-ups. So, rather than panicking, try to work out some good responses.

Cross-cut

Diagram 1: This cut--black 1 and 3--happens all the time. It is called a "cross-cut" because black doesn't only cut White's stones, he also cuts his own.

Diagram 2: Usually, extending the stone you can least afford to lose, is a good strategy. The stone you want to lose least is the center stone, because its loss would have an impact on the whole board while losing the stone in the corner only has a local impact.

Diagram 3: Still, in response to black 5, White doesn't want to give up the marked stone without putting up a fight. So, White should extend to 6.

Now we have come to the situation that was used as a base for last week's problems. Let's look at these answers first.

Solutions to last week's problems

Solution 2: (Black 21 connects where white 16 was captured)

After the moves in Diagram 6 last week, black 7 seems a good move. However, white 8 through 12 put Black on the spot. Black 13 looks like a nasty move but if White keeps cool and plays 14 through 22, he should be able to capture all of Black's stones. Should Black insist on playing to the bitter end, after white 22 through 28, he is out of options--this repeats the situation when White plays at 22.

Solution 3A: After black 7, white 8 and 10 prepare to capture one of Black's groups. Black 11 is a strong answer but White comes out relentlessly with 12 through 20. Cutting at 21 doesn't accomplish anything when White extends to 22. If Black cuts at A next, white B, black C and white D would follow, capturing Black's cutting stone. In the end Black's stones 7 and 13 through 19 die.

Solution 3B: Starting from the same situation, after white 10, black 11 is another likely move, but white 12 through 22 kill Black along the edge.

Solution 4: However, when Black plays at 7 (after white 6 in Diagram 3), White has to be careful. After sacrificing his marked stones, white 8 through 12 avoid complications. White 14 protects against the cut at A. Giving away two stones may feel like a waste but Black's territory only comes to about nine points. Even taking into consideration White played an extra move, White's influence is superior.

Reference 1: If White takes the bait and tries to save his corner stones he has to play 8 through 14. However, black 15 is nasty. To kill Black's stones White probably needs to force A for black B, then play at C. However, Black will exchange D for white E and capture the two marked white stones with F. Now White gets a lousy eight-point corner whereas Black gets superior influence.

New problems

Problem 1: The alternative for the approach in Diagram 1--where you just extend your most important stone--is to put either of Black's cutting stones in atari (leaving them only one liberty), for example, by playing at 1. Since his stone is in atari, Black will escape with 2. Of course, this exchange is only as good as its follow-up. What would you do next?

Problem 2: This is a representative example of playing atari first before extending. All advanced and most intermediate players know this as a popular joseki (standard corner exchange). How should Black continue?

Problem 3: This is another example in which a cross-cut is used in a joseki. The moves through 6 constitute a joseki, although black 3 could also be at A. Usually much later and depending on the circumstances, Black sometimes attaches at 7. If White plays at 8, Black cross-cuts with 9. How should White respond?

Problem 4: Yet another joseki in which the cross-cut is employed. How should Black deal with the white combination 4 and 6?

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

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