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Base
  Difficulty: Beginner   Keywords: Shape, Life & Death

A base is a group of stones which can't be killed. A group gains this status when it has at least two eyes. One of the greatest things about a base is that any stones connected to the base are also invincible.

Of course, strictly defining a group into two eyes is something which would usually be left until the end game (unless attacked), so bases are often assumed if you have enough eye space. (And what constitutes "enough" eye space is a WHOLE nother topic -- life and death problems)

--FCS

I moved the eye shapes to basic life shapes.

A base is more commonly known as an area that is large enough to build eyes there. Also, it usually refers to groups at the side and in the corner.


[Diagram]
Diag.: A base on the side

This two point extension on the third line is a classic example of a base on the side. Note that this shape is not alive, but unless white is very strong in the neighborhood it may be unfeasable to attack the black stones efficiently.



Many josekis are actually about establishing a base for one's stones or preventing your opponent from making a base (e.g. see "Answer Keima With Kosumi")

To summarize: why is making a base important

  • makes a group stronger (maybe even alive)
  • makes it less vulnerable to attack
  • gives you something to extend from or flee to

--ArnoHollosi, 1d



This is a copy of the living page "Base" at Sensei's Library.
(C) the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.