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Capturing and saving stones · Lesson 15

Double atari: save one group, lose the other?

Double atari puts two opposing groups in atari with one move. The opponent can play only once at a time and often cannot save both.

Black at E5 puts White D5 and F5 in atari at once. If White extends one side downward, the other stays in atari. Yet double atari does not guarantee a capture: check whether White can join both sides or capture Black with one move.

Another common idea blocks the exit first, so an attempt to run is captured. This is often called a net. Do not memorize just the surrounding shape; follow the remaining liberties outward to see whether every route is really blocked.

Two White groups

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White D5 has liberties at D4 and E5; White F5 at F4 and E5. The groups are not connected.

Atari on both groups

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Black E5 leaves White D5 with only D4, and White F5 with only F4: double atari in one move.

Original lessons by Yiban ·