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Sente gains nothing
Path: Endgame · Prev: CountingWithoutTears · Next: TedomariIsWorthDouble
Difficulty: Intermediate
Keywords: EndGame, Proverb
This proverb seems counterintuitive. Sente certainly feels like it gains something! ;-) And, strictly speaking, it is not true. Sente does gain something: It keeps the opponent from playing the reverse sente.[1]
Using the simile in Winning Ways, playing sente is like cashing a check before it expires. You are claiming what is rightfully yours. Playing sente (and getting a response) normally leaves the count unchanged.[2] When you are estimating the score, you assume that sente plays are made and answered, for precisely the reason that the count stays the same. Example:
After the sente sequence,
[1] Sometimes making a sente play gains because your opponent does not reply. For instance, he may ignore a ko threat. That is not what this proverb is about. [2] On occasion, you should play sente and take a loss. For instance, it may be worth it to play a losing ko threat. Or it may be best to take a loss to prevent your opponent from taking the local play when you give up sente. Path: Endgame · Prev: CountingWithoutTears · Next: TedomariIsWorthDouble This is a copy of the living page "Sente gains nothing" at Sensei's Library. ![]() |