Miai (life and death)  

For example, in this diagram White lives because if Black plays at a, White plays at b; and if Black plays at b, White plays at a, in both cases making two eyes.

We say that a and b are miai for two eyes. In general any such situation where when one player takes or prevents one of two options, the opponent will play the other, is called miai.

Miai for points

Example 2 (a)  

If Black plays , White plays , for a net local score of zero.

Example 2 (b)  

Or White may play and Black , also for a local score of zero.

We expect one player to get one play, the other player to get the other, for a net local score of zero. The plays are miai.

Miai for damage

Miai applies to local positions like the above, but also in more general, strategic concepts.

Example 3  

For example, when Black ataris at , White cannot play because next makes miai of a and b. White can choose which stones to capture and which to save, but in either case Black captures 1 or 2 stones and establishes a position in what used to be White's corner, therefore damaging her position. ^[1]

Equivalence

In English we often use the word equivalence to translate the concept of miai, in the sense that the two options allow the same objective to be achieved more or less. For example, miai in a life and death context might mean the existence of two different moves resulting in the equivalent outcome of living or killing. On the other hand, in the endgame context, a miai position has two points that are about the same point value, although these two values need not be exactly the same. However, most go players will simply adopt the word miai instead of the longer constructions in English.

Japanese non-go related

The term has more general use, as its literal meaning is just "looking at each other". In baseball, for example, an easy pop fly that could have been caught by any of two (or more) fielders might drop if the players thought the other would be going to catch it. This situation is also referred to as "miai" or "omiai", or they just "looked at each other". When two babies are curiously staring each other, the parents would say "they are looking at each other!", or "miatteru". Arranged marriage is more often referred to as "omiai" but it can be just "mial".

Miai and Ko Threats

Usually, it is better not to play out miai points without additional reason. But playing it in the middle game is a loss of a ko threat which might prove to be decisive for the outcome of the game.

Ko threats  

As an example, consider again this miai position. Black can use either a or b as a ko threat to which White will reply with the other move.

Miai and Endgame

Endgame  

In this position we have added the marked stone. a and b are still miai for the life of this group, but a is 1 point bigger than b.

Usually Black will leave this position alone to keep the ko threat, but when the game reaches the late endgame, Black will play the bigger move at a in sente.