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Basic Instinct
Go is a game of tactics and strategy. There are, however some basic techniques that in itself require no reading or positional judgment, but which make a fundamental part of good play. We will list these techniques here, and call them basic instincts. Below, we will elaborate them further or refer to other pages where they are elaborated.
How to use your Basic InstinctIn all cases, the suggested move is the first move one should think of. They are natural moves. If this move seems to bring no bad result, then it is highly probable that this is the best move. Of course, there are always exceptions, but one should not consider other options first! Only if investigation of the Basic Instinct shows a bad result, then other possibilities can be explored. AdvantagesThe advantage of knowing the Basic Instinct is twofold:
Basic Instinct [1]: If in atari, extend
"Of course I extend when given atari!" Well, if you're going to extend, you shouldn't have considered other possibilities. Reasons:
Exceptions:
Basic Instinct [2]: Answer the tsuke with a hane
Tsuke means stone played next to an opponent stone, while disconnected from any friendly stone. The hane blocks it, bending around it. Reasons:
Exceptions:
See RespondToAttachmentWithHane Basic Instinct [3]: At the head of two stones, hane
See HaneAtTheHeadOfTwo. Reasons:
Exceptions:
Basic Instinct [4]: Extend from a kosumi-tsuke
Reasons
Exceptions
Basic Instinct [5]: Block the diagonal stone
White 1 strengthens White's stone and weakens Black's. It also blocks Black's approach to the area below. The next diagrams show related positions.
Sometimes it is better to push and cut (White a - Black b, White c). Basic Instinct [6]: Connect against a peep
Reasons
Exceptions
See also EvenAMoronConnectsAgainstAPeep Basic Instinct [7]: Block the thrust
Basic Instinct [8]: Extend from a bump
Reasons
Exceptions
Authors: This is a copy of the living page "Basic Instinct" at Sensei's Library. (C) the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0. |