X X X X O .
. O O O O .
X X . O . .
. O O O O O
X X X X X O
. . . . X .
We have calculated
Black's tentative sente move value M_sente = 6,
tentative gote move value M_gote = 5,
(Black's) follow-up move value F = 4.
(White's follow-up move value, that is the follow-up move value after
White's first play, is 0.)
The initial local endgame belongs to the type of local endgames in
which a gote sequence might be continued as a sente sequence. The
initial local endgame is a local gote with the move value
M := M_gote = 5 because
M_sente > M_gote > F <=> 6 > 5 > 4.
The three conditions are equivalent so we can verify the type local
gote by each of them:
M_sente > M_gote
<=>
M_sente > F
<=>
M_gote > F.
Black's tentative sente move value is larger than the tentative gote
move value.
Black's tentative sente move value is larger than the follow-up move
value.
The tentative gote move value is larger than the follow-up move value.
A local gote is characterised by decreasing move values: its move
value M is larger than its follow-up move value F.
We must not trust a visual impression of threatening to connect the
larger string. Such does not necessarily mean a local sente. Instead,
we determine the type of the local endgame by a value condition.
It is insufficient to calculate some tentative move value. We must
also verify or refute it by a value condition. Almost all teachers and
players do it wrongly by only calculating some tentative move value
and guessing that it would have the correct type and be the correct
move value. Except for earlier thermography and Bill Spight's earlier
insight, correct evaluation including verification has only arisen
during the last 5 years.
X X X X O . O O
. O O O O . O O
X X . O . . O .
. O O O O O O X
X X X X X O O X
. . . . X . X X
Black to move.
The simple gote on the right side has the gote move value 4.5.
X X X X O . O O
. O O O O . O O
X X . O . . O .
1 O O O O O O X
X X X X X O O X
. . . . X 2 X X
As we have determined, the left local endgame is a local gote. It can
be correct to reply elsewhere because the follow-up move value can be
smaller than a move value elsewhere on the board, as here.