This sequence by White started with the sacrifice cut at is an example of sabaki play. White might now continue at a, treating the other stones lightly. Threatening ko with is also notable - White can afford to lose a ko here, but Black really can't. Ko techniques can be used for sabaki.

For another way for White to play here, see light play example 4.

If White just plays ordinary moves such as and here, the feeling is clumsy and the result a heavy group.

It of course helps that in the 'clumsy' example black stretched with (4), but in the Sabaki diagram black captured instead of stretching (to where white would play (5) ). BountyHunterSAx?

See sabaki examples for more.

Possible renderings of the concept

It is clear that sabaki involves light (karui) shapes and often attempts to settle a group (shinogi) but it definitely doesn't equate to either of these. It could have other aims, such as taking sente by means of a sacrifice. The objective is to deal skilfully with the local situation, avoiding longer-term problems

Correct definitions of sabaki are more like the following

• skillful process successfully handling an awkward situation
• sidestepping the attack (or dodge)
• sabaki techniques are the opposite of clumsy play

Saurus: In his book 'Enclosure Josekis', page 4, Masaki Takemiya defines sabaki as: "Making a light, flexible shape which makes it difficult for the opponent to launch a severe attack."

Charles Matthews: If you fall too much in love with sabaki you find that the techniques when over-used tend to make the opponent too solid, even thick.

Andy: Sabaki is delicate to apply. You don't want the opponent to get solid or thick, but having them get overconcentrated instead would be just fine.

jpocket: Sakai Michiharu defines sabaki as "Resilient shape" in 'How to Play Against Stronger Players'

Chaz: Here sabaki is defined as "the art of handling stones that are in dangerous situations."

Usage and derivatives in Japanese

Sabaki in ordinary parlance means handling or treatment.

The term is used in Kendo (the art of swordplay), where it means fancy footwork. In Judo and Jujutsu tai sabaki (usually translated as body movement) is used to describe the various pivots and movements of the body to defend against an attack or to off-balance your opponent. In other words, those body movements that put you in a good position (or your opponent in a bad one). Lightness is implied in the Judo context.

Most of the special go terms including sabaki are written with katakana and not with hiragana or kanji. They are special terms and get special treatment.

Pages on sabaki techniques

• Sabaki Examples
• staircase sabaki technique
• diagonal attachment knight's move angle play sabaki technique
• attachment on the second line
• The driving tesuji and its application as a threat in flying off orthogonally is a common sabaki technique;