overplay

An overplay is a move that promises more than, if correctly answered, it can deliver. If the reply to the move is tricky to find, and if, should the opponent reply correctly, the subsequent loss is minor, then the move might be considered hamate. Overplays are sometimes caused by mistakes made in reading out the continuation sequences, and sometimes are simply an indication of blatant greed! However, overplays are often the intuitive moves of players accustomed to playing weaker opposition. Such players are not successful when pitted against stronger opponents who can punish their mistakes. Thus beginners are perhaps best advised to play the board, not the person, lest they develop bad habits!

In the first diagram white 1 and 3 ensures life for the white corner stones, but black 4 protects against the cut at
A. So can White do better by playing white 1 immediately at A? As in the second diagram, White might hope that Black would squander a crucial liberty. Now, after white 5, not only do all the white stones live, but also the left side black stones die! Nevertheless, white 1 is an overplay. As in the final diagram, if Black resists the urge to play atari, he can retain his crucial liberty at B, and immediately set forth on the race to capture the corner white stones. After black 4, no matter how White replies, the white stones are doomed!