Order of play
The order of play as a go term refers to the order in which plays are made (in a game position, or perhaps a problem or variation).
If for example Black can play at A, which should be answered by White B, or at C which will be answered by White D, and the plays A and C are largely 'independent', then we can say there is an order of play question for Black, first at A or first at C? This will matter, perhaps, because after the A/B exchange White could answer Black C in some other way. Or in other words the order of play matters, because the verdict of a closer analysis is that plays are not as independent as might appear.
Here is a conventional example on endgame plays:
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/27/0a660fb9036e56b27f38e824d6499f86.png)
The order of play for hane
In this case, Black p is better than starting with Black q.
Typically, the question of the order of play comes up when a player faces the question of which vital point to play in a local skirmish. Often it does not matter which to play first, but also often it does.
This topic may be discussed from a number of general points of view, such as sente and gote relationships, timing, aji and aji keshi, and so on. There are also many subtle points special to particular areas. In books on joseki it is frequently pointed out that small differences in the order of joseki plays have important consequences.
To become reasonably strong at go one should try to be sensitive to these points.
Questions about order of play can be treated as part of a more complex discussion (involving timing and omission of plays).
See also:
Anecdote:
Bill: An amateur was showing a game of his to Lin Haifeng (Rin Kaiho) and said as an excuse for a mistaken line of play, "Well, I only got the order of play wrong."
Lin replied, "Go is the order of play."