territory
Proponent territory is comprised of unoccupied intersections surrounded by live proponent stones and also includes intersections occupied by opponent stones that cannot make life. Mid-game, if wholly or partly surrounded by notional boundary, territory is itself considered to be notional. Conventional wisdom has it that the third line is "the line of territory" in contrast to the fourth line being "the line of influence". However, to play go well, a flexible approach is needed which avoids avaricious grabbing of territory. The art of making adequate proponent territory is perhaps best regarded as the by-product of forming efficient proponent boundaries via efficient connection of proponent framework stones. whilst frustrating the opponent's attempts to do likewise. |