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GoTerms

 

Base
  Difficulty: Beginner   Keywords: Opening, Shape, Go term

A base is an area you control that is large enough for you to build one or more eyes. It usually refers to groups on the side and in the corner.


A base is not a group of stones which can't be killed. A group can reach this invincible status for instance when it has at least two eyes.

A base is typically created during the opening and early middle-game when it is uneconomical to spend so many moves in one area to make such invincible groups immediately. But it is strong, it cannot easily be killed.

One of the desirable things about a base is that any stones connected to the base are also strong.


[Diagram]
A base on the side

This two-space extension on the third line is a classic example of a base on the side. Note that this shape is not yet alive, but unless White is very strong in the neighborhood it may be infeasible to attack the black stones effectively.

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?

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

See also:



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