Go strategy and tactics
[1] An important principle to follow in early play is "corner, side, center.
"[2][3][4] In other words, the corners are the easiest places to take territory, because two sides of the board can be used as boundaries.
Once the corners are occupied, the next most valuable points are along the sides, aiming to use the edge as a territorial boundary.
The first moves are usually played on or near the 4-4 star points in the corners, because in those places it is easiest to gain territory or influence.
After that, standard sequences (Joseki) can be used to develop corner positions, and extensions along the side can be made.
A key concept in the tactics of Go, though not part of the rules, is the classification of groups of stones into alive, dead or unsettled.
Many players study books of life and death problems to increase their skill at reading more and more complicated positions.
One of the most important skills required for strong tactical play is the ability to read ahead.
Some of the strongest players of the game can read up to 40 moves ahead even in complicated positions.
Yet, this play may be worth only a few points, and thus deemed unnecessary, depending on the state of the game.
With confidence in one's reading, it becomes much easier to set priorities and switch around the board (see sente).
An outward-facing position that cannot be attacked, that is, one which can easily get two eyes or connect to a friendly live group and so does not need to answer enemy moves close by, is called thick.
Doing so is also inflexible strategically, so invites enemy forcing moves at the border of the incomplete territory.
If a group has a large number of options, often including the sacrifice of part of it, it is called light.
Because it is usually impossible to take away all or almost all options, attacking such a group is very hard for the opponent and brings little advantage.
A ko threat is a move that forces one's opponent to respond, or risk a punishing blow.
A player usually accepts gote in order to defend a weak position or to achieve a local advantage such as securing territory.
One must strive to make each stone played important and valuable, that is, utilize its aji, or potential, to the fullest extent possible.
Thus, choosing the correct direction of play requires not only a deep understanding of the value of thickness, but also demands a good sense of positional judgment from the players.
The endgame begins when large-scale contention over life and death, invasion, reduction etc.
Generally, in the endgame, all the major areas are staked out— however, there are still points to be made, as well as possible ways to reduce the opponent's territory.
