The Sixth Directive

"Improve the framework difference."

Only when all your framework links are stable and all your framework barriers are viable should you obey this directive. It is subordinate to the previous five. But, when applicable, you can use this directive to help decide on whether to expand your framework, limit your opponent's prospects of framework expansion, or attack an opponent framework link.

Judging the extent and strength of a framework is not an exact science (yet). But, in simple situations, approximate values can be assigned to links as shown in the diagram to the right. Side links always score 3 points. Central links, when they form part of a framework square, score 2 points, otherwise just 1 point. In the example Black has +5 framework difference (but it is White's turn next).

The intermediate values gained at any one move are not of paramount importance. In some circumstances a lower intermediate value can give rise to a higher final framework difference. Nor should there be anything read into the scores other than as an indication of where to play. But by applying this directive at and not before the right time, you can automatically ensure you have the correct framework for the specific game. Be careful to always obey the first five directives ahead of this one. Although it might appear tempting, it would be a mistake to establish new framework stones at the cost of damaging exting framework links.