## Intro: Basic Concepts of Go #2: Shape

Perhaps there are some people that question the importance of shapes. Is it really that important? Of course there are cases where playing the bad shape turns out to be a good move, but if you ignore shape, the efficiency of your stones will go down. So, it's highly advisable to just remember these shapes so that you immediately recognize them. The important thing to prioritize here is to learn how to play using the proper form. This means using good shape and using theory to make consistent choices. Then and only then, do we start remembering the exceptions. If we don't approach it in this order, there will be no traction and nothing will stick.

## How do we think about shape?

When it comes to foundational knowledge, these shapes are like the basics of basics. Just by getting exposure to these shapes, you will instantly recognize them in your games and be able to immediately start avoiding the most common mistakes. Of course active learning and acquiring new skills and knowledge contribute to your improvement, but negating the worst habits will double the effectiveness of your efforts. For this reason, this article is quite dense and will be comprised of 5 chapters.

## Table of Contents

Bad Shape #1: Empty Triangle Bad Shape #2: Split Shape Bad Shape #3: Raw Peep Good Shape #1: two stone walls need three space extensions Good Shape #2: hane at the head of two stones

## Bad Shape #1: The Empty Triangle.

Example:

_Black to Play_ _empty triangle_

_empty triangle_

_bamboo connection_

_indirect response_

## Bad Shape #2: The Split Shape

Example #1:

Example #2:

Example:

_In practice_

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/comparison-1.png)

As you can see, these two responses by black give white the clear cut follow up to split your shape apart.

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/aa.png)

Rather than pushing to give white the only move, black can back off like this and the result is much better.

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/bb.png)

And rather than pushing from above, lightly playing the knight's move is much better.

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/ab-comparison.png)

To put it another way, if we choose to play on the right side, no matter what we choose, white will push up. And so if you imagine that white already has this move, where would you choose to play, the push up against the white stones? Or rather this kosumi towards your bottom right enclosure? I think it's pretty clear that this kosumi is doing more for the bottom right area than the extend.

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/c-comparison.png) Now if given the previous position, would you have this extend against the white stones? Or would you rather have this knight's move? I think most of you would prefer to have the knight's move. Nothing will trump an understanding of the reasoning for these guiding principles, but the first priority is to simply ingrain the habit of not playing split shape in your games. Regarding the exceptions, if you are already at dan level and the situation calls for it, then with the awareness that this is an exception to the rule, and the resolve to play it anyways with full acceptance of the risks associated, you can consider it. But if the awareness and distinction is not there, and you blindly allow the opponent to split your shape, your go will not take form and will crumble.

## Bad Shape #3: The Raw Peep

Example #1:

## The definition of "The raw peep" is, when you peep a cutting point when the direct cut was working.

If we look at it another way, you're finding a cutting point that the opponent is likely thinking of fixing, and then peeping it to help him find the timing to fix that cutting point. Essentially, from your opponent's point of view, it's a thank you move. Let's look at an example.

_Example #2_

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/comparison-3.png)

I think it is clear to most that black having this insurance makes a very big difference in the balance of power in the center fight.

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/25.PNG) Now if things were different and black already had this connection...

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/26.PNG) This peep would then be considered a forcing move that makes no waste. Let's compare the two peeps. ![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/comparison-4.png) I think it's clear that these two peeps have completely different meanings. I believe that many players peep cutting points with a light hearted view of the exchange, perhaps misjudging the exchange as not much of a waste... which is a scary situation when you realize how severe of a mistake this raw peep can be. So before you peep a cutting point, make sure that the direct cut doesn't work, and make sure you're not aiding your opponent in fixing his worries, so as not to play the raw peep.

## Good Shape #1: Three space extension from a two stone wall

Examples:

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/proverb/comparison-1.png)

Now according to this proverb, these two moves, the three space extension on either the 3rd or 4th line, are locally the standard way to extend. This is a very popular joseki so I'm sure most go players know this as the standard pattern, but why is it two stones? Why is three spaces the most balanced and standard extension? Let me start by talking a little bit about what an extension is in the first place.

_Black to Play_

Now that we've covered what extensions are, let's return to the topic of three space extensions off of two stone walls.

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/proverb/options.png) We can play like this and contain black on the inside. It's a connected shape.

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/proverb/4c.png) Like this or this. And because this splitting option by black worries white, it's kind of like if you were on a bullet train and somehow the train was going 300 mph. it's slightly worrying, let's say. But this four space extension isn't unplayable, but locally as a method of extending from the original group, it's not a standard play.

_Let's see a practical example of how we can use this to aid our decision making in a real game._

_Black to Play_

_Over Concentrated_

Then what is the alternative? We know that because of shape, we want to avoid this two space extension.

_The right idea_

Of course, like any rule of thumb, there are exceptions to the rule where ignoring the rule is the sensible move, but due to the inefficiency you create in your shape, it's very important to keep this proverb in the back of your mind.

Now, we move onto the final topic.

## Good Shape #2: Hane at the head of two stones

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/proverb/a.PNG) This hane, for either side, is a _vital point_. you may not understand why these hane's are a vital point, but first and foremost, please just remember to just immediately play the hane whenever you see two iron pillars stuck to eachother. Whoever get's around to this hane first will be better locally. We can say that for either side, the hane starts the process of constricting your opponent's liberties (dame-zumari), or that this aims at good follow ups, but the order of priority when learning as a beginner is to simply remember to hane the head of two stones.

Example #1:

_White to Play_ Example #2:

_Black to Play_

![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/proverb2/b.PNG)

This is why we would prefer to think about these two hanes, rather than the bumping move. When thinking about the proverb, hane at the head of two stones, not only is it important to recognize when you have the opportunity to strike the vital point, but also as important to prevent playing in a way that gives your opponent the hane at the head of your two stones.

## Recap The Good: ![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/proverb/good.png) ![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/proverb2/a.png) The Bad: ![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/proverb/theBad.png) The Ugly: ![image info](/assets/blog/theory2/proverb/ugly.png)

## Conclusion

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, these are the shapes that make or break your foundation.

While active learning and acquiring new skills and knowledge contribute to your improvement, negating the bad habits will double the effectiveness of your efforts.

Remember, Shape is more fundamental than Sacrifice, Attack, or Direction of play. The most important to get right, only second to the corner stone concept of Strength of Stones.

-Hiro Nakae

Shape

The Surrounding Game

The Strength of Stones

Shape

Direction of Play

Attack

Sacrificing Scrap Stones