The players attempt to ascertain which groups of stones would remain if both players played perfectly from that point on.

Liberty (go term), an empty space adjacent to a group of stones in go.

Games may also be won by resignation, for example if a player has lost a large group of stones.

If two such eyes exist, the opponent can never capture a group of stones, because it always has at least two liberties.

Subsequently, three distinct groups of stones exist with various aesthetics, locations and purposes.

Slowly she was gouging away the outside perimeter of the group of stones she'd chosen.

A group of stones with no liberties is captured.

This situation happens when two groups of otherwise dead stones face each other without being able to achieve capture.

"That's an odd name for a group of stones."

Suddenly, what seemed to be a solid, secure group of stones was now in serious trouble.