watari

In Go, watari is a connection along the edge of the board. It is usually made by playing underneath opposing stones, allowing separated stones or groups to become connected. The connecting stone travels near the edge and may pass beneath or around enemy stones, using the board edge to make a cut more difficult.

Watari can connect stones, help a group escape or become stable, and reduce the opponent’s ability to cut. Unlike an ordinary direct connection, it commonly relies on the edge and does not necessarily join adjacent friendly stones directly. The sequence is not automatically safe: the opponent may be able to block, cut, or capture the connecting stones, so its tactical details must be checked.