Suteishi

Suteishi, literally meaning “discarded stone” in Japanese, refers to a Go technique where one or more stones are intentionally sacrificed to achieve a greater strategic objective. The goal may be to gain sente, prevent an opponent’s connection, reduce territory, or strengthen one’s shape elsewhere on the board.

This concept embodies the deeper philosophy of Go, where flexibility and long-term vision often triumph over immediate material gain. By giving up a seemingly valuable stone, a player can create aji, provoke inefficient responses, or shift the focus of the battle to a more favorable area.