An interesting problem

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Bloemen
An interesting problem

Black to move

Do you know this problem? It looks quite nice aesthetically, and it is tougher than you might think. You may give it a try.

Kind regards,
Paul

Bloemen
Some information

By chance, I saw this problem at YouTube, and asked the question who composed it. I got an answer! Kwon Omin (or Oh-Min) made this beauty at the time he was training to become a professional player. The story goes that he showed this problem to Lee Changho, who came with the wrong answer, but it is not sure whether this story is true. But it certainly could be true, as there is something deceiving about this gem. I may present the solution after a while, but I don't want to spoil your fun trying to solve it.

Kind regards,
Paul

Bloemen
The wrong answers

Black can choose between four moves to start, because of the symmetry of the problem: a, b, c and d.


Starting moves

Let's first show the failures.


Failure a: Black dies

A straightforward kill.


Failure b: Black dies

A straightforward kill.


Failure c: Black dies

A straightforward kill.


Failure d: Ko

If Black 5 at 6, White at e kills: if White at 5 the position is quite a special seki!

So, variation d gives the best result, or? It is a failure too, there is something better. Can you see it?

Kind regards,
Paul

Bloemen
The right answer

Seki

Deceiving, I said earlier: this is Failure c without moves 5 and 6, the result is a seki! This is superior to the ko shown in Failure d.


Black 5 tenuki

If White tries to kill Black after Black 5 tenuki, Black succeeds in living with territory.

The deceiving part of this probletm is to know when to stop. The result is a truly remarkable and unlikely looking 4 space seki. I hope you enjoyed this problem, to me Kwon Omin is a genius because of it.

Kind regards,
Paul