The genus 2 crossing number of \(K_ 9\) (Q1901042)

A conjecture of \textit{P. C. Kainen} [J. Comb. Theory, Ser. B 12, 287-298 (1972; Zbl 0237.05104)] implies that the genus 2 crossing number of \(K_9\) is 3. In the present paper, the author disproves the conjecture, by showing that the actual value is \(\text{cr}_2(K_9)= 4\). The method involves demonstrating that certain genus 2 imbeddings of \(K_8\) are not possible.