Corners, then sides, then center

Path: GeneralOpeningPrinciples   · Prev:   · Next: ShutIn
  Difficulty: Introductory   Keywords: Opening, Proverb

This phrase is one of the first things a Go player is taught.

  • It is easiest to make life in the corners, then on the sides, and least easy in the center. The same goes for territory and a base.
    • SO Fight hardest for corners. Letting the opponent get an uneven advantage in a corner you are fighting for will help you lose.
    • And please prefer sides over the center.
  • It takes only two walls of stones to surround territory in the corners, and three on the sides, compared to four in the center
[Diagram]

Corner territory & eyes

8 stones, 16 points

two eyes requires at least 6 stones

[Diagram]

Side territory & eyes

8 stones, 8 points

2 eyes requires at least 8 stones

[Diagram]

Center territory & eyes

8 stones, 4 points

2 eyes requires at least 10 stones

See also Why don't we open at tengen.


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This is a copy of the living page "Corners, then sides, then center" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2007 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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