First line

    Keywords: Go term
[Diagram]

Three points on the first line

The first line is the entire outside line defining the playing area on the go board.

A play on the first line is rarely good by itself. Such plays are made, usually, in combination with existing stones on the second line. Playing unsupported stones on the first line is a typical novice's mistake.

Plays on the first line become common during endgame, and in life and death



[Diagram]

Choice of endgame play

Playing B1 rather than a can be a good choice in endgame terms, but this is a play with hidden subtleties.

[Diagram]

Choice of endgame play (continuation)



If this happens, Black has the same number of points as for this 'normal' continuation:

[Diagram]

Choice of endgame play (variation)

The cutting point marked with a circle could make some difference to the game, though. It has left some ko threats for White.


unkx80: I guess we need a better example. But all these have the notion of temperature.

[Diagram]

Black to play.

Black to play. a or b?

[Diagram]

Block.

In the typical endgame setting, W2 and W4 would be sente. Compared to the next diagram, a White cut at B5 would be large, so B5 has to defend.

[Diagram]

Jump.

When B1 jumps, then W2 pushes and B3 blocks. In the usual endgame setting, a White move at a would be gote, because the subsequent capture at White b can be answered nicely by Black c.

[Diagram]

Jump.

Therefore, B5 and B7 would be seen as Black's sente, and belonging to Black. Compared to the case when B1 blocks, Black's territory is the same but White's territory has been reduced by two points. This is where the difference in two points comes from.


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