Tenuki

Japanese: Tenuki 手抜きKorean: Sonppaem 손뺌Chinese: Tuō xiān 脱先

Importance: ★★★

Playing elsewhere or ignoring

Tenuki in Go represents a strategic decision to ignore the opponent’s last move and play in another area of the board. 

Tenuki reflects the player’s judgment that addressing another part of the board offers greater strategic value than responding locally. It often involves leaving an unresolved situation to seize a more critical opportunity elsewhere.

While tenuki can shift the game’s balance in the player’s favor, it also carries risks if the opponent’s last move becomes more damaging when left unanswered.

Effective use of tenuki requires an understanding of timing, as premature diversion can lead to weaknesses or lost opportunities in the local area.

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