Concept notes

Trades  振り替り

A trade in the Japanese sense of furikawari implies a transformation of the overall position as well as barter. In other words, it is has as much strategic import as tactical. For most of us, trades just seem to be the unforeseen outcome of a large ko fight, which is one very common way to set them up, but there are plenty of situations where making a positive decision to initiate a trade is the wise thing to do.

A furikawari does not have to be a large-scale exchange, but it often is. When it is, stones are usually sacrificed and so other associated concepts come into play. One is aji. Another is making more direct use of the sacrifice stones for squeezes and semedori, and part of this is skill in fattening the sacrifice to make the outside plays even more effective.

Although big trades can be scary, they are a powerful tool in that they tend to have a momentum of their own and can go on for quite a few moves, after which a couple of major areas have been settled. This tool can be used, slightly paradoxically, to simplify a position, for example when you need to wrap up a won game.

You can also use the unpredictability of big trades to launch do-or-die moves when you are behind.

Useful proverbs

• Mazu koudate wo kazoeyo - Before starting a ko, count the threat
• Keisei furi nara shoubute wo sagase - If you are behind look for a do-or-die move
• Kachigo wo kachikiru muzukashisa - Nothing is harder than winning a won game

© John Fairbairn & T Mark Hall (GoGoD), London 2007.