To underscore hyperpape: Tesuji isn't a trick play, it's more like a power play. Each player can read out how a fight is going and see their line far into the

To underscore hyperpape: Tesuji isn't a trick play, it's more like a power play. Each player can read out how a fight is going and see their line far into the future. Two professionals will pick two lines, two suji, which are in balance and push up against one another tightly. A tesuji is a part of the line which is suddenly showy or strong. It could mean a failure for the opponent if they had not taken enough of an advantage in the struggle to this point or if they do not have a counter tesuji available. Indeed, that might be the design of a set line: one side continually loses ground to the other forcing the other to take these small advantages all so that the first side has an opportunity to play a tesuji and return to balance. Many such lines are canonicalized ("joseki") and known to any professional. Moreover, professionals regularly identify potential tesuji and expect their opponents to as well.