Influence
Each stone has a certain influence on the board. Captured stones have an influence close to zero. Surrounded stones that make a live group, influence only the surrounding group. Stones that are in open space have an influence on that open space and the stones bordering that open space. Influence is a long-range effect.
- The stronger a group, the greater its influence on a neighbouring area.
- The more open the neighbouring area, the greater the group's influence.
- The weaker the other groups neighbouring that area, the larger the group's influence.
Examples
For example, the central stone has influence in all directions. On a board as small as 9x9, the influence is rather strong towards all parts of the board. Whatever happens in the corners or at the sides will be greatly affected by this stone.
In this typical outcome of a 3-3 point joseki, White has corner territory, while Black has central influence. The White tails will also affect the sides somewhat, but since they can be easily blocked off, we can say that the sides are more influenced by the black stones which extend farther towards the side.
See also:
- Thickness, where this page's description is included.
- About influence.
- Non-fiction
- InfluenceMap
- Discussion moved to influence function.
- Geo-Strategic Lessons from Go(shi4) [1] A uniquely Chinese perspective on shi/influence. More and more during the last decade, military and foreign policy thinkers have been realizing that Go may have applicability in both understanding Chinese foreign policy and affecting it. Go has been coupled with shi.
- The Protracted Game: A Wei-ch'i Interpretation of Maoist Revolutionary Strategy (1969) was the seminal work.
One document that attempts to draw broad geo-strategic influence lessons is:
Learning from the Stones: A Go Approach to Mastering China's Strategic Concept, Shi, by Dr. David Lai: Strategic Studies Institute monograph, 35 pg. ISBN: 1-58487-158-X.