Placement
A placement is a play inside the opponent's group, mostly but not necessarily on a vital point, weakening the group.
A placement is disconnected from one's existing stones from one's group; to succeed it should be difficult to defend against. It's more of a tesuji than a speculative invasion.
Example of an unsettling placement
Black has approached White's corner with . If White does not respond, Black can play the placement of
, after which Black can connect out, either at a or at b, turning White either into a drifting group or small life in the corner.
Example of a killing placement
Here's an example of a placement in a life and death situation:
makes the second eye false and kills the entire group.
In this context we will rather speak of the vital point of the group, or of nakade.
See also