taking gote in error

   

The difference between Sente or gote can be large. If you do the same thing in gote that could also be done in sente, that is a big difference - you lose a whole move. Players obviously will prefer sente sequences, other things being equal.

Example:

[Diagram]

Black gote

(We assume that the region to the right is Black's territory.)

B2 takes gote. White has made a local gain. Black's threat is at a, OC, which transposes to the next diagram.

If Black plays first in the original position, B1 captures the white+circle stones. But now if W2, Black will not respond at B3. This shows why B2 is gote in the above diagram.

[Diagram]

Black sente

By the sacrifice of B2, Black takes sente.


This is a copy of the living page "taking gote in error" at Sensei's Library.
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