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KikashiSenteDiscu...
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Flexibility
Path: Principles   · Prev: Efficiency   · Next: Liberties
    Keywords: Go term

Flexibility is important for Go players. They must be adaptable to their opponent's play.

[Diagram]
Flexible approach move

In this example, W1 is a flexible move. There are good continuations for White at a, b, and c. If Black plays d, White can respond at e. If Black pincers at f, White has at least two responses at b or c.



Charles Matthews Flexibility is an elusive concept, really.

In the example given, Black's initial play BC at 4-4 is in sense more flexible than W1. Since Black has the choice of playing a pincer or simply extending, Black can always take up position on the preferred side (left or top), whichever side White approaches. The 4-4 is also primarily an influence play, but Black can make a satisfactory fourth line territory from it too.

[Diagram]
4-5 point favours the left side

In contrast, the 4-5 point play BS, that was more popular than the 4-4 point in even games up to about 1930, has a bias towards one side (the left side in this case). These days it is used much less. White at a next means Black takes influence or position on the left side; and that's a fixed strategy.[1]

The most convincing thing to say about flexibility is that most (not all) strong players favour it. But there is always the idea that rigidity might work if you were good enough at it. Is the kami no itte unique? Surely not, but not worth discussing with anyone who can't see that.

Charles Matthews



Bill: Flexibility is a key part of lightness. It is also essential to miai strategy. OTOH, when you have the advantage, you may want to reduce the possibilities available to your opponent. In addition, flexibility is an aspect of style. Most amateurs are insufficiently flexible. Their play is heavy. (Me too, I'm afraid.)


[1]

The point of the 4-5 point pincers page is that there aren't any. Of course this might be debated. But another aspect of flexibility that might be called typically Eastern is this: if you're relying on odd-looking plays to stay on course with some plan that is becoming an idee fixe, who is winning? So a sort of converse: try to be the one who knocks the opponent off course, away from normal, orthodox plays.



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This is a copy of the living page "Flexibility" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2003 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.