Twisted sums of $c_0$ and $C(K)$-spaces: A solution to the CCKY problem

Abstract

We consider the class of Banach space $Y$ for which $c_0$ admits a nontrivial twisted sum with $Y$. We present a characterization of such space $Y$ in terms of properties of the $weak^\ast$ topology on $Y^\ast$. We prove that under the continuum hypothesis $c_0$ has a nontrivial twisted sum with every space of the form $Y=C(K)$, where $K$ is compact and not metrizable. This gives a consistent positive solution to a problem posed by Cabello, Castillo, Kalton and Yost.