Capture

In Go, a capture removes an opponent’s stone or connected group from the board once all of its liberties have been occupied. The stone or group is removed immediately after the capturing move, and the removed stones become prisoners. Capturing can eliminate opposing stones, increase your prisoner count, resolve tactical fights, and produce a favorable shape.

Capture is different from atari: atari threatens to capture a stone or group on the next move, while capture is the completed removal itself. A capture or recapture must also comply with the ko rule and other position-repetition rules. Consequently, a recapture that appears to be available may be illegal.