Six die, eight live
Six die...
This famous Go Proverb refers to groups of stones along the second line from an edge.
DIAGRAM 1
Now, according to the proverb, the six white stones must die, unconditionally. That means that
even if white moves first, the stones can be killed. Let's see what White's options are.
First, a real beginner might try to sneak out underneath the black wall.
DIAGRAM 2
Black can, of course just follow along, playing on the second line until the
edge of the board is reached. I assume you all realize that won't work. The only
real option is to play straight down.
DIAGRAM 3
If Black were foolish and ignored this play, White can follow up with:
DIAGRAM 4
Suddenly White has four liberties in a row, and we know that four in a row is alive.
Whatever Black does, White can always get two eyes.
So Black must respond to Diagram 3. Taking the point White needs to live seems
like a good idea.
DIAGRAM 5
White threatens to capture that one stone, but it is just like sneaking under the wall
again: White will not be able to gain any more eye-space that way. Black's play at 4
inside the White position settles it: White cannot make two eyes.
...eight live
If six on the second line die unconditionally, the proverb tells us that eight lives
unconditionally.
DIAGRAM 6
Even if Black goes first and tries to reduce White's eye-space, White can calmly
make a group of four in a row, which lives.
DIAGRAM 7
and how about seven?
DIAGRAM 8
As you might expect, if Black goes first, White will die, and if White goes first, White
will live.
DIAGRAM 9
Here White goes first and plays down to the edge, if Black attacks on the other side, White
can still make four in a row.
DIAGRAM 10
But if Black goes first, White can be reduced to three in a row, and killed.
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