Ladder puzzle 1/Solution

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Correct: e5

abcdefgh123456781

Red's main threat is the ladder starting at c7. If Red plays out this ladder, Blue can block it. So Red needs a helping stone somewhere on the right and on the second line from the bottom. R1 threatens the follow-up moves at *, which Blue must defend.

abcdefgh12345678132

Red continues that way, using the stone at the right. Again, Blue has to defend.

abcdefgh1234567813245

Finally, Red plays a double threat. This stone is the ladder helper, and it also threatens to connect along the top.

Wrong: f6

abcdefgh1234567812

The stone at f6 is a ladder breaker for the ladder starting at c7, and it also threatens to connect via f5. This looks very strong, but Blue can still defend at e7, which is a ladder breaker and threatens a connection at the lower side. Since Blue has another threat at e5, this is enough for winning.