Computer Go Glossary

block

Connected stones of the same color. See Section 3.2.4.

chain

Blocks that are virtually connected as in Section 3.2.6.

dan

Master level. Higher numbers are better. See Figure 4.

dead

Stones that cannot escape capture are called dead, even while they are still on the board.

eye

A surrounded area providing one safe liberty. Stones that have two eyes are safe from capture.

group

A loosely connected set of blocks of the same color. See Section 3.2.8.

joseki

A standard move sequence, often in the corner.

ko

A single stone capture-recapture situation that can lead to position repetition, as in Figure 3.

komi

A number of points given to the second player at the end of a game to compensate for the first player's advantage. Usually between 5.5 and 8 points.

kyu

Student level. Lower numbers are better. See Figure 4.

ladder

A basic capturing sequence. See Figure 17.

liberty

An empty point adjacent to a block of stones.

life and death problem

The problem whether a weak surrounded group can be made safe from capture, typically by creating two eyes.

seki

Coexistence of Black and White blocks that don't have two eyes. See the right side of Figure 19.

semeai

A race to capture. See Figure 22 for an example.

sente

The initiative, the right to play next. A sente move must be answered by the opponent and therefore retains the initiative.

territory

An area surrounded and controlled by one player. May contain dead opponent stones.

tesuji

A skilful tactical move.