Cut in Go — How Kiri Splits Opponent Groups | PlayGo.gg

A cut is when you stop a stone or group of stones from connecting to each other.

What is a cut?

A cut is a stone played between two of the opponent's stones so they can no longer link up into a single group. The Japanese term is kiri (キリ).

Cutting is a double edged sword. You need to be careful and check if you have enough liberties to cut. Beginners often are too aggressive when they cut and don't realize until they are captured! Make sure to count the liberties to see if your cut will result in a capture or another good result.

When to use a cut?

Walk through a short checklist before committing:

1. Liberties. How many liberties does the cutting stone have right after the cut? One is almost always bad. Two is risky. Three usually survives. 2. Captures. If the opponent ataris, does the cutting stone have a way to run or capture outright? If not, don't do it. 3. Which group is weaker? Cuts create two enemy groups – target the weaker one and leave the stronger one for later.

Example of a cut in a game

Where should black go to cut white?

Cutting is a double edged sword. Make sure you are strong enough before you cut!