I'm trying to figure out what this situation would be called. Is it just determined to be a seki? If white fills in to the right of 1, then it looks like a seki to me. But if white plays to the left of 1, then black captures, and then white can make the same position again with 1.

I barely know the difference between the rule sets, so please assume the version of Japanese rules that are used on KGS.

What does the Chinese say? That last character looks almost like "life", but obviously isn't.

Yes, it is a seki.

The possibility which you describe after your 'but' is that you still could use it as a - loss making - ko threat
(because W could lose all 10 stones after B re-took.
Hence, it is a ko threat of -21 points for a ko > 21 points (there are many different evaluation models for the size of the ko).
(it is also an example of the 'send 2, return 1' as you would always give 2 stones, yet only get 1 stone in return)


Never mind the Rule-sets.

The last 2 characters just say (make life) 'fāngfǎ' = method

My translation would be:

"Correct solution diagram

W1 atari, after W3 connects, it's a cool makeshift sequence,
at the same time it is nevertheless the only way to make life."

_________________
Greetings,
Tommie

3dan EGF (AGA no 13477) || Tommie on KGS: 'June'|| DGS: 'Zhi Laohu' 纸老虎 = 'paper tiger' || Senseis : http://senseis.xmp.net/?tderz ||
ENFP (MBTI) - 'Find your own style within the Fundamentals of Go! '

The "after" is misplaced. It's "W1 atari then connection at W3"

"Cool" is ambiguous nowadays. "Sober" or "calm" might be better.

There is no "makeshift". It's just a sequence of calmly played moves.

It's a seki, as others have pointed out. In English this situation is known as "Sending 2, returning 1".

Thank you, everyone.