I got a different solution to Problem 4 in Chapter 9 of Davies' "Life or Death" and I'm curious if my solution is wrong or less optimal in some way or just a different solution.

The problem is:

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$Bc Black to make a Ko
$$ | . . . . .
$$ | . X X . .
$$ | O O X . .
$$ | . . O X .
$$ | . . O X .
$$ | . . O X .
$$ | . O X X .
$$ | . . . . .
$$ +-----------[/go]

My solution is:



Davies lists the solution as:



Is it just that Davies solution closes off the outside in sente? So that even if Black loses the ko, White doesn't get any endgame pushes?

Yes. Both solutions lead to ko with White taking first. In the standard solution the ko is less favorable for White.

_________________
The Adkins Principle:
At some point, doesn't thinking have to go on?
— Winona Adkins

Visualize whirled peas.

Everything with love. Stay safe.

And what about this for white, is it better for her ?

_________________
The Adkins Principle:
At some point, doesn't thinking have to go on?
— Winona Adkins

Visualize whirled peas.

Everything with love. Stay safe.

Oops! This is better. In fact, in a real game it would probably be the main line.

_________________
The Adkins Principle:
At some point, doesn't thinking have to go on?
— Winona Adkins

Visualize whirled peas.

Everything with love. Stay safe.

Edit: Forget what i wrote - i was wrong. (Doing tsumego before coffee is not a good idea)

_________________
Magics way up the hill (personal study journal)

A bit tough to forget something which is not even available to see.

_________________
Still officially AGA 5d but I play so irregularly these days that I am probably only 3d or 4d over the board (but hopefully still 5d in terms of knowledge, theory and the ability to contribute).

Don't think about a pink elephant!