Classification of positions

A: By phases of the game

Here there are opening, middle game and endgame positions, and it is probably useful to subdivide each into early/late:

• early opening positions are mostly about occupation of corners and playing approaches and enclosures, until joseki start;
• late opening positions involve occupation of big points and the decision about who will invade first;
• early middle game positions feature invasions and running fights;
• in the late middle game it is very possible for groups to die, since the context is of positions that have become much more solid;
• the early endgame has some qualitative differences (thick plays, slow-moving attacks on weak groups) from the late endgame, in which every play can probably be counted precisely.

B: By opening

This isn't really an effective way to classify, though there are perhaps such things as 'typical Takemiya sanrensei positions'. Ryojimari positions are fairly characteristic.

C: By middle game features

This, in contrast, probably does help. For example suppose there is no large framework. Then the game has become a 'game of small groups'. This type of game is normally won by the player with better reading, so it is best avoided (unless you are strong).

Charles Matthews