![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Frameworks |
|||||
![]() |
|||||
The global part of GCS refers to the attention paid to frameworks. At the start of a nine stone handicap game on a full size board, the handicap stones are traditionally placed as shown on the right. They are perfectly placed to act as a framework for Black's future stones. Ideally the initial stones should end up in the black boundary at the end of the game - they would be largely wasted if ending up in enemy territory or even if inside the black territory. And but for White's spoiling tactics, the most efficient boundary would be formed by connecting along the lines shown. The concept of frameworks and framework links allows the player to be flexible as to where the territory might form. So much so that, if Black in a nine stone game can retain most of the original framework stones and even less than half of the framework links, the probability is that he or she will win the game - the territory will come quite automatically as a by-product of the connectivity. It is a common intuitive desire to map out definitive territory from the outset. But always remember that the winner is the player with the most efficient boundaries at the end of the game. Due to their ideal placement on the board, it should always be possible to use the established framework links efficiently in the finalised boundaries. In even games, the framework stones must first be established by the player's initial moves. Up to nine framework positions can be established each either by a single stone or, less typically, a shimari. Each individual framework position can only operate for one side or the other. The fourth line positions give maximum flexibility but any firmly established stone near these points that can form a notional link with another such stone is considered to be a framework stone. As White in a handicap game, more consideration must be given to playing stones to spoil the opponent's framework links. Because such stones cannot themselves easily form framework links, they are not considered to be framework stones - just spoilers. ¨Bubbles, blisters and pins |
|||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |