Nerai

Nerai is the strategic or tactical aim behind a move: the point, weakness, or follow-up a player is targeting, often with a threat or sequence in mind. A move may attack a weak group, threaten a cut, or prepare a later continuation. The opponent can respond by eliminating or reducing that aim.

Understanding a move’s nerai helps explain why it was played and guides reading, evaluation, and the choice of a response. Nerai is the intended objective behind the move, not necessarily the move itself or the vital point where the move is played.

A single move may have several aims. Also, an apparent aim may be only a threat or latent aji rather than a result the move guarantees.