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SentePosition

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Referenced by
ReverseSente
Tedomari
EndgameClamp
TypesOfEndgameSen...
TiniesAndMinies
MethodOfMultiples
Sente

 

Sente Gote
Path: Endgame   · Prev: Sente   · Next: ReverseSente
    Keywords: EndGame

A local position in which play for one side is sente, but for the opponent is gote, is said to be a sente-gote position.

Or simply sente. -- BillSpight

[Diagram]
Sente-gote position

A simple sente-gote position is seen on the left. A play by White would be sente, whereas a play by Black would be gote, since White does not have to protect against the cut. With miai counting, the value of a white play is three points sente.

A black play at 3 would also be worth three points, but in gote.

However, in this position Black's play counts as Reverse sente therefore more valuable.

-- MortenPahle

BillSpight: Reverse sente plays are not more valuable than sente plays of the same size, or gote plays, either. In fact, the general rule is to play sente first, gote second (unless the gote are miai), and reverse sente third.

How many points does playing a sente-gote in sente gain?

None!

(On average.)

Playing the reverse sente gains the size of the play, but all playing the sente in sente gains is preventing the reverse sente. As a rule, that will be possible, until the temperature drops to the size of the play. (That's why we measure the size of a sente-gote by the size of the reverse sente. It tells us how urgent the play is.)

Playing the sente is like cashing a check before it expires.

(In exceptional cases you play the sente because your opponent will not answer it {see tedomari}, but then you are not playing it in sente. ;-))

Because you do not gain points by playing the sente, when you are estimating territory you assume that sente plays are made and answered.

See Sente Gains Nothing.



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This is a copy of the living page "Sente Gote" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2004 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.