No goal is given, nor who is to move. Simply put, one is to demonstrate the point of the problem.
Ger introduced the problem thus (my translation):
Let your eyes find the vital points, and research what can be expected when one of the players starts. Dissertations, reports, wild guesses, essays and threatening letters to be sent to the author before may 20th, 1980.
There was a small prize for the right solution, which I am afraid is no longer available
Since the diagram is too large for L19's diagramming solution, I have included it as an image from SL. If you do post a solution, I am afraid you will have to make your own diagram on SL (you can find the original at: http://senseis.xmp.net/?HermanHiddema%2 ... ntsProblem) and include it with an image tag here as well (or, if you can, describe your solution in text).
black's ladder is lost, but the capture of
allows the oshi-tsubushi
which creates small life inside.