Sente

Sente in Go refers to a move or sequence that forces the opponent to respond, thereby allowing the player to retain control and dictate the flow of the game. 

Characteristics of Sente

• A sente move compels the opponent to react immediately, ensuring that the player retains the initiative. By creating direct threats, sente allows the player to guide the game’s progression while limiting the opponent’s options.
• Sente shapes the rhythm of play, enabling the player to transition smoothly between offensive and defensive strategies.
• Maintaining sente is often crucial in the middle game and endgame phases to secure advantageous positions.
• Players who consistently control sente can dictate the game’s overall direction, maximizing efficiency and pressure on the opponent.

Sente in the Endgame

• In the endgame, every point matters, and sente moves allow players to secure territory while maintaining the initiative. By forcing the opponent to answer, a player can dictate the flow of the game and gain an advantage in subsequent moves.

Reverse Sente: A reverse sente move is a defensive play that prevents the opponent from making a sente move, but it concludes in gote, meaning the player loses the initiative after making it.

Double Sente: Double sente refers to a situation where a move is urgent for both players, and whichever player takes it first gains a significant advantage. These moves are high-priority targets during the endgame and can significantly impact the score.

While sente is powerful, not all moves need to be sente in the endgame. Sometimes, gote (a move that doesn’t force a response) is necessary to secure vital territory. The skill lies in balancing sente and gote to maximize gains without leaving weaknesses.

More info about sente and gote in the endgame can be found in this lesson from the 19×19 course.