Amarigatachi

In Go, amarigatachi describes a situation where an aggressive attack fails to gain an advantage, leaving the attacking player in an unfavorable position. This typically happens when a player overplays, trying to pressure the opponent too much, but instead ends up with weaknesses that the opponent can exploit.

The term amarigatachi comes from the word amari, meaning “excess” or “overdone,” and katachi, meaning “shape.” It implies a shape that may look strong or effective but contains hidden flaws due to overaggression.

Understanding amarigatachi helps Go players recognize when an attack is likely to fail and teaches the importance of maintaining flexibility rather than forcing an advantage that isn’t there.