Squeezing Out the Toothpaste

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  Difficulty: Beginner   Keywords: Go term

Squeezing out the toothpaste is a common mistake where a group is pushed through a small gap. The player doing the "squeezing" is often under the impression that they have the initiative, but the end result is usually that they've made their own groups weaker or pushed the opponent into their own territory.

[Diagram]

Example 1

One classical example of squeezing the toothpaste is illustrated in this sequence. All of White's moves are perfectly natural, but B3, B5, B7 send White squeezing through the small gap between B3 and B7, weakening both the B1 chain and the B5 chain. One possible alternative for Black: Black B1, White W2, Black B7, White W3, Black a.

[Diagram]

Example 2

Black plays B1 to strengthen his group, then B3 to prevent the cut. Now he has weakened his center group more than he helped it. One can argue whether B3 is necessary. But if Black wants to play it, he should play there directly, without the B1/W2 exchange. (Leading to B1 at B3, W2 at B1, B3 at a).


See also

  • In Teach Yourself Go Charles Matthews introduced the idea of failing ladder, which is the same but with corners in the toothpaste.
  • Small gap
  • Driving tesuji: a better way to push the opponent around.
  • Mistakes
  • Squeeze as a translation of the Japanese word shibori, which is a different meaning of "squeeze" and generally a good thing to do.

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