Thank-you move
A seemingly purposeful move that gives the opponent a useful reply.
A thank-you move benefits the opponent by allowing or inducing a reply that improves their position. The move may look forcing or serve an apparent purpose, but the opponent’s response gains something useful—such as better shape, a connection, more liberties, or a settled group.
The term is a reminder to recognize and avoid moves that unnecessarily help the opponent, particularly when comparing forcing moves or possible kikashi. Unlike a genuine forcing move or kikashi, a thank-you move does not extract a favorable concession; its apparent forcing value mainly works for the opponent. Whether a move deserves this label depends on the resulting position and the value of the opponent’s reply, not simply on whether that reply was forced.
This term in other languages