Trumpet connection

  Difficulty: Beginner   Keywords: Shape, Go term
[Diagram]

Black looks vulnerable

A white cut at a looks like a good possibility, but it's impossible for Black to patch up both weaknesses in one move ... or is it?

[Diagram]

Black is secure

By playing B1, Black creates a trumpet connection, which protects both possible sites against a cut.



The trumpet connection is also called the lion's mouth, and is related to the tiger shape, though the trumpet connection is much stronger.

FCS

[Diagram]

Black is really vulnerable.

A drawback with this shape is that it still leaves a peep at a or b. In many situations, the solid connection (either of the circles) may be better. Also, a solid connection in one place would mean a White cut in the other place would be caught in a ladder. The peeps will also rob Black of eye potential, which may be relevant in other situations. In the example on the left, I think it will be a real struggle for Black to stay alive.

-- Morten Pahle

Dave Sigaty: In the case where there are three black+circle stones the peep will not work. Black has time to answer a peep by playing at d. If there are only two black+circle stones, Black must answer the peep by connecting. Similar shapes but a very different result.

binky? Surely the reason for prefering a solid connection is the minimisation of opponent's ko threats.


See also Hanging connection and Trumpet connection shape problem

Lion Shape


This is a copy of the living page "Trumpet connection" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2012 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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