Here’s the problems for the week. This week’s easier problems focus on the endgame. The intermediate problem is another from Gokyo Shumyo. Can you get them all on the first try? There are no do-overs when you’re playing over a real board!

Remember, there will be new problems here every Thursday.

Do you know the six basic killable eye-shapes? They’re one of the first things a beginner must learn. They’re shapes that hover on the line between life and death; whether they live or die depends on who gets the next turn. It’s critical to be able to recognize them at a glance, even when they’re not fully formed, and to know exactly where to strike to kill them or make them live.

I’ve posted some problems in the extended entry so you can quiz yourself.

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Here are this week’s problems. I’ve included a fairly difficult problem adapted from a game a couple months ago that earned my 4 kyu rank on KGS. The novice problem is the first problem in the classical collection Gokyo Shumyo. Most of the problems in the collection are much more difficult, however!

Be sure to check back next Thursday for a new set of problems.

I hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas break. Here are some problems to start off the new year.

Remember, Grand Prix points start accumulating Sunday, January 3rd. Show up for as many meetings as you can to earn the most points.

Three different difficulty levels this week – elementary (the easiest), novice (pretty easy) and intermediate (a little harder). The intermediate problem comes directly from a real game between myself and Rob.

How many can you get right on the first try?