Don't overconnect!

The prime directive commends efficient framework connections. Amongst other things this implies that you should not overconnect framework links. A player may overconnect because he fails to see the existing connection. Because underconnecting can be disastrous, erring on the side of caution is understandable. However, some players, having perceived the existing connection, deliberately overconnect because they mistakenly think this to be the "doubly safe" option. But while a player is overconnecting in one part of the board he may be underconnecting, or allowing his opponent extra connections, in another part of the board. Thus, at least in the earlier stages of a game, overconnections should best be thought of as the near equivalent to passes. In the latter stages of a game it will become clearer where exactly to form a boundary. Such moves should take place only when all the framework links have become stable.

In the example shown in the diagram  to the right, a black stone played at A would be an overconnection. The top right framework stone can connect no matter what White does, so the play at A is not urgent. It is much better, for example, to expand with a diagonal move at B or C. It is true that after a play at A, Black would still be well ahead, but the initiative is handed over to White and, if Black should subsequently blunder, the lead could slip. But perhaps the most important concern is to train oneself to routinely perceive and avoid playing overconnections and thus gain the confidence to play GCS to optimal effect in future games.