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Connections and shapes · Lesson 13

Underplay, pressing, crawling and connecting along an edge

Playing against the underside of an opposing stone, nearer the edge, is an under-attachment. Limiting from above is pressing. The player under pressure may extend low along the edge, called crawling.

Connecting beneath an opponent along an edge is called a connection under. Black plays C1 on the first line to join the two sides. The real edge is shown here; there are no liberties beyond it.

Low moves may gain connection or territory but let the opponent build above. More crawling is not always better, and pressing down is not always profitable. Look at what each side finally gains.

Not connected along the side

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Lower-left corner: Black is split along the first line with C1 empty between the sides. The bottom is the real board edge; there are no liberties beyond it.

Connect along the edge

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Black C1 connects under White along the first line, joining A1 through E1 into one group.

Original lessons by Yiban ·