Nose Point

 

This chain has 6 liberties, two of which are nose points.

 

When one of the nose points is played, the number of liberties is increased by 2 to 8 liberties.

 

is not one of the nose points; the chain only has 7 liberties.

Example

 

In this ladder, White keeps playing on the nose point of the black chain.

Since Black is not able to play at the nose points, Black is unable to increase the number of liberties of this chain.

 

is at a nose point of this black chain, which causes the chain to have liberty problem.

More information at the attach block joseki.

Lists of Nose Points

Two-stone chain

 

Three-stone chain

 

Four-stone chain

 

This chain has no nose points.