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Connections and shapes · Lesson 09

Connecting and cutting: why stones need support

Connecting joins separate groups of one color; cutting occupies a key point to stop a direct connection. Connected stones share liberties and are captured together. Separated groups may each need care.

Two black stones initially have one empty point between them. Black connects by filling it; if White takes it first, Black remains two groups. Whether they can connect around another way depends on the surrounding play.

A cutting point is not always an invitation to cut. The cutting stones need liberties and an escape; if immediately captured, they have not truly separated anything. Some connections can also wait. Check what would actually happen if the opponent cuts.

Not connected yet

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Black E5 and G5 remain two groups, with F5 empty between them. The circle marks their shared adjacent empty point F5.

Black connects

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Black F5 first joins E5, F5 and G5 horizontally into one group. Count their liberties together.

White cuts

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If White plays F5 first, it occupies Black’s direct connection. E5 and G5 remain separate; whether they can connect another way depends on later play.

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