Finding ko threats

  Difficulty: Beginner   Keywords: Ko

A basic prerequisite when playing a ko is to be able to find ko threats. Here are hints for finding good ko threats.

A ko threat is a play which threatens a follow-up which will give you a certain gain. If a ko threat is also a move you already wanted to play, that is a bonus.

Threats can fall into any of these categories:

  • Threats to make dead groups alive or threats to connect two groups so that a previously dead group connects with a living group.
  • Threats to kill living groups or threats to disconnect two groups so that one can be killed.
  • Threats to reduce your opponent's territory or expand your own.

The first two are normally the largest, as the change of status of a group often means a difference of 20 points or more.

Before going into a ko fight, one needs to


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