Influence
Each stone has a certain influence on the board. Captured stones have an influence close to zero. Surrounded stones that make a live group, influence only the surrounding group. Stones that are in open space have an influence on that open space and the stones bordering that open space. Influence is a long-range effect.
- The stronger a group, the greater its influence on a neighbouring area.
- The more open the neighbouring area, the greater the group's influence.
- The weaker the other groups neighbouring that area, the larger the group's influence.
Jasonred : Can someone give some examples of how influence affects a game? (especially for those territory vs influence trade offs.) Early kyu players probably know that we should be trading strong influence for territory, but sometimes I feel that for weaker players, having 10 points of territory is 10 points of territory, but it's very possible to "waste" the influence you gain.
Velobici: A problem for kyu players is in handling and utilizing influence/thickness. One item I am currently struggling with is using it to attack severely enough to accomplish the eventual conversion of influence/thickness into territory in another part of the board. It seems to be a tough combination of severity that threatens to capture a group without the commitment to capture a group that may lead to desperation capturing races or worse the attacking group becoming the attacked group. Its putting into practice on the go board the concepts illustrated in Geo-Strategic Lessons from Go. Hard stuff.
Jasonred : hmmm... I try stuff like either herding an opponent into large walls I've built, or building a moyo nearby. Also, a nearby group that would otherwise be weak becomes strong because of said wall. But, how about 1-2 stones? How much influence does that gain me, and what do I do with it?
lynx: The problem with influence is that it's very vague, and, after enough thinking, doesn't really describe anything at all. Naturally, ones stones will effect the board. Naturally the one who takes more influence will have good center prospects. But influence is seperate from thickness, which is a very useful and important concept. Perhaps thickness is a higher form of influence? At my level (2d), I never hear about making influence. I hear about making thickness ^^.
Making influence, I think, is like making a one-space jump to protect a two space extension, or even making a two space extension towards a shimari. Both those plays powerfully effect the nearby play but aren't thick.
See also:
- Thickness, where this page's description is included.
- About influence.
- InfluenceMap
- Discussion moved to influence function.
- [1] A uniquely Chinese perspective on 势 (shi4) in Geo-Strategic Lessons from Go.