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Dieter's ideas on Go Theory
Path: PleaseReviewMe · Prev: ElementaryMoves · Next: UpAndDown
Keywords: Theory
This page is a personal project by Dieter. It is an attempt to accurately describe Go theory. Go Theory starts with rules. From the rules we can derive principles. For a deeper understanding of those principles, we develop several concepts?. The principles and the related concepts finally give rise to guidelines, or as they are called in Go theory, proverbs. The game has three aspects: technique, tactics and strategy, so proverbs will typically look at one of those three aspects. I'd appreciate both contentual remarks below and linguistic improvements throughout. Rules (R)
Principles (P)
The principle of efficiencyFrom R2 and R3 we can derive a meta-principle, namely that you should place your stones with a maximal effect.
The principle of flexibilityGo is a game of complete information, but it is far from being solved. Some board positions, however, are already solvable by the mind (killing large groups, endgame). In these situations, the player who sees a sequence giving him undisputed victory, will play out this sequence. This can be called "settling the shape". If settling the shape does NOT give a definite advantage, then it gives more information to both players. In particular, when the shape is settled with one move, the opponent is the first to adopt a way of playing that takes the settled shape into account. Therefor, as long as it is unclear who is favoured by the board position, both players will keep their options open as much as possible. This applies also to part of the board.
The principle of flexibility comes from general principles of gamesmanship and the rule of alternating play. The principle of libertiesFrom R1 we deduce that liberties are important.
counting liberties forms the basis of the theory of capturing races. The principle of two eyesFrom R1 we also derive the second principle,
which forms the basis of the theory of life and death. The principle of connectionFrom P1, P2 and P3, we deduce that it is interesting to connect groups, for less stones are then needed to make them alive and the sum of the liberties of both groups will be all the greater.
The principle of developmentIncreasing liberties (P2), establishing a connection (P4), surround empty points (R2) and creating space to make eyes (P3) are all some kind of development. We can also adhere a sense of direction? to the concept of development. We can thus state the principle:
Concepts (C) and proverbsFrom the above six principles we can now derive the rest of Go theory, conventionally expressed through proverbs. This includes technique, tactics - which boils down to life and death and capturing races - and strategy. Throughout this development, several concepts? (C) will be defined. Technique (T)
Tactics
Strategy (S)A first strategic proverb, which is also applicable to technique and tactics, is derived from R3 : S0 The enemy's key point is yours (from R3) From the principle of flexibility (P6) we get a first concept:
The key concept in strategy is the balance of territory and thickness, which is guided by the principles of efficiency (P1) and development (P5). Another way to look at this balance is the meaning of stones and urgent versus big moves. C2 Thickness: a group of stones which is firmly connected (P4) and which has sufficient eyespace (P3). C3 Territory: an area which is surrounded (P4: no cut possible) by a thick group, and in which the opponent has almost no chance to create a lving group (P3). The usual size of the board, together with these two concepts, gives rise to the following proverbs:
S1 The third line is the line of territory Hence,
S3 Gladly accept fourth line territory The meaning of stones or urgency (U)
U1 Stones that cut apart groups which are not yet thick (C2) are called cutting stones. Those stones are important, from P4 and P1. If those stones are not yet thick, strengthening them is urgent. The meaning of areas or size (bigness) (B)
B1 Open areas, with a lot of room for development, are big.(P5) We can summarize the meaning of stones and areas in the following strategic principles:
S5 Capture the cutting stones (U1). Corollary: cut the side you don't want (AP1)
S11 Don't build influence in the direction of stable positions (P1, P5, C2) More conceptsC4 Aji is the future potential of a position (stones) which is (are) temporarily lost. Bad aji gives more options (P6) to the player who locally has lost (stones). C5 Stones are light when they have a lot of flexibility (P6). Heavy is the opposite. Mostly, if light stones will be captured, it will be small C6 Shape is a characteristic of a number of stones. Determining principles are efficiency (P1) and flexibility (P6). Objectives are eyespace (P3) and connection (P4), leading to thickness (C2) and territory (C3). The study of the different shapes can be done independently. A static treatise on shape is a first attempt. It relies a .o. on the liberties stones ratio for efficiency. Subsets of good shape are good shape. Extensions of bad shape are bad shape. C7 Forcing moves are moves that force the opponent to settle the shape and reduce flexibility (P6) so that the forcing player can next play according to his opponent's choice. More technical proverbs
T13 Capture the ladder as soon as possible. (P6) Finally, I need a stronger explanation than the ones I have available for the idea that playing close to (strong) stones in strengthens both sides. This is the basis for the theory of leaning attacks and sabaki techniques. It also explains why to attack from a distance. Proverbs yet to be included: Reducing techniques
Attack and defense techniques
Cutting and connecting principles
Your comments are highly appreciated. Deshi comments[1] Charles I'm not aware of any principle exactly covering this point. But see make both ends strong. Path: PleaseReviewMe · Prev: ElementaryMoves · Next: UpAndDown This is a copy of the living page "Dieter's ideas on Go Theory" at Sensei's Library. ![]() |