The Prime Directive

If you want to play GCS you must learn the following mantra off by heart :

"Efficiently connect the original framework stones!"

If you come to fully understand this rule, you will be able to infer most of the method used in GCS. Understanding "original framework stones" is not too difficult - especially when playing handicap go where the framework stones are preset. Formally, a framework stone is defined as one that, when played, creates framework links to adjacent framework stones (more anon). Having identified your framework stones, the next most important concern is with those stones that help connect them. Maintaining the strength of these stones is paramount. But perhaps more surprisingly, stones that are superfluous to this primary aim can be happily sacrificed if needs be! Initially it takes not a little nerve to concentrate on the important stones rather than try, regardless of strategic cost, to save any stone attacked. But do you wish to save every last stone? Or are you instead resolved to win the game? If so, always obey the prime directive - and don't fudge!

The term "connect" as opposed to "solidly connect", refers to the placement of stones so that they can, if required, be physically connected at the very end of the game. The finalising of the boundaries is left to last because otherwise stones can potentially end up in positions which are of no use. Deciding what is and what is not connected can sometimes be tricky. And having decided a connection is urgently required, there may be many different ways of achieving this. You might simply connect by playing an intermediate stone but if opponent stones are in the way what then?