Dead stones

Dead stones are stones or a group with no possible sequence of play that can make them live. They normally remain on the board until they are captured, or until their status is confirmed by agreement at the end of the game. A group is typically dead because it cannot make two eyes, escape capture, or win the relevant capturing race.

Recognizing death is essential when reading life-and-death positions, deciding whether further defense is worthwhile, and scoring the board accurately. Dead stones are not the same as captured stones: captured stones have already been removed, while dead stones are still on the board. Life and death can depend on the surrounding position, ko threats, and the rules used to resolve disputed groups, so local shape alone is not always enough to judge a group.