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Peep

A tactical move that threatens to split an opponent’s connected stones.

Also known as

Peeping move

A Peep (also called a Peeping move) is played into or near a gap in an opponent’s formation, at a potential cutting point. The stone creates a threat: if the opponent ignores it, the peeping stone may enable a cut, capture, or another tactical consequence. This often tests the opponent’s shape and forces a defensive response.

The purpose of a peep is to induce that response and exploit weaknesses in the opponent’s connections. Unlike a direct cut, a peep normally threatens to sever the stones without immediately doing so. It is not automatically sente, however; its value depends on the opponent’s available replies and on what happens if the threat is ignored.