Approach Move

Approach move is a general term which includes any move which reduces the liberties of an opposing stone or chain of stones. They are usually needed to repair weaknesses in the attacking stones. When one or more are required to win a ko, it is called an approach ko.

Approach moves in the opening

A corner approach, the first move near a single opposing stone in a corner is usually not called an ‘approach move’, but simply a corner approach or kakari.

Approach moves in capturing races

Although you can easily count apparent external liberties, sometimes it is necessary to play on more points than just the dame to capture a group. This is often because of shortage of liberties of the attacking stones.

Approach moves make a difference  

Here we have an example of a No eye Versus No eye Capturing Race. Black has two outside liberties both marked a. White has two outside liberties at b but Black has an approach move c to make in order to capture White. So we can count c as another outside liberty. There is no shared liberty. White has three liberties while black has two. As a result, white wins even if Black has sente. Black’s problem is the shortage of liberties of his stone .

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See also

• Capturing race – the context in which approach moves most often occur.
• Liberties – other factors affecting how many moves are needed to capture some stones.
• Subtle point about approach moves – how the choice of a defensive move depended on approach moves, damezumari and possible kos.