sacrifice stone

A sacrifice stone is a stone or group that a player deliberately gives up, accepting its capture in exchange for a greater strategic or tactical benefit. The player may place or abandon stones so that the opponent can capture them, then use the resulting moves, liberties, outside influence, or initiative to gain compensation elsewhere.

The purpose may be to obtain outside strength, sente, territory, better shape, or a favorable simplification. A sacrifice stone is the general concept of sacrificing stones; a throw-in is a specific move played inside the opponent’s shape, often with the expectation that it will be captured.

The exchange is justified only when the compensation is worth more than the stones given up. Losing stones without a concrete benefit is simply a mistake.