The Basics of Life and Death

This book is the third volume of the series The Road Map to
Shodan. Part One is intended as an introduction to the topic of life and

death, aimed at players who have just learned the rules. However, it should

also be useful for players up to 5-kyu or for any amateur player who needs

to review the basics of life and death. It is also a prerequisite for Part Two

of this book.




The fundamental concept of life and death is that of eye space. Once

this concept is fully grasped and the properties of various eye spaces are

understood, the three most important tesujis of life and death can be introduced-

the hane, the placement, and the throw-in tesujis. Along the way,

another important concept is introduced-shortage of liberties. This concept

is important not only in life and death, but also in middle game fighting.

Solving the life-and-death problems presented in that section will

help kyu players to learn and familiarize themselves with this concept.

Finally, the rule of bent-four-in-the-corner is introduced. Before a

player can progress to the more advanced life-and-death problems, this

rule must be fully understood.




Part Two consists of 177 basic life-and-death positions that often

arise in josekis and skirmishes in the corners and along the sides. These

positions are fundamental and you should familiarize yourself with

them so that you can determine the status of these positions almost at a

glance. Moreover, by studying these problems you will learn many of

the techniques that are needed to kill your opponent's groups and to

live with your own.