Proverbs from the game of Go

From Wikiquote

Proverbs from the game of Go

• General proverbs on go
  • Go is like life
  • Life is like go
  • If you don't understand ladders then don't play Go.
  • Learn joseki and lose two stones; study joseki and gain four stones.

• General strategic maxims
  • If your opponent has secured all four corners then you have lost.
  • If you have secured all four corners then you have lost.
  • Ponnuki in sente is worth 30 points.
  • Attach to the strong group to attack the weak group.
  • In a fight, contact plays strengthen the underdog.
  • Don't play 1, 2, 3 - Just play 3.
  • You only have one weak group. Your other weak groups are dead.
  • Keep your stones connected.
  • Separate your opponent's stones.

• General tactical maxims
  • There is death in the hane.
  • Hane at the head of two stones.
  • Hane at the head of three stones.
  • Strange things happen at the 1-2 points.
  • Play in the centre of a symmetrical formation.
  • Your enemy's key point is your own key point.
  • In a semeai capture the ko on the final play.
  • Learn the Eye-stealing tesuji.
  • Atari, atari - vulgar play.
  • Don't make empty triangles.
  • Don't make dangos.
  • Strike at the waist of the knight's move.
  • Don't peep at both sides of a bamboo joint.
  • Don't peep at a cutting point.
  • Never try to cut bamboo joints.
  • The monkey jump is worth 8 points.
  • Add a second stone to one on the third line then abandon both.

• Specific tactical situations:
  • On the second line eight stones live but six stones die.
  • In the corner six stones live but four stones die.
  • On the third line, four will die but six will live.
  • An eye of six points in a rectangle is alive.
  • For rectangular six in the corner to live, liberties are necessary.
  • The comb formation is alive.
  • The Carpenter's square becomes ko.
  • The weak Carpenter's square is dead.

See also the wikipedia article on the board game of Go.