Loose connection

There are two different types of loose connections, both of which are described below.

Type I
R2 C3 Q1 Ha1 Hc2

The pieces on this board are able to connect to each other through a bridge by placing a piece on either b1 och b2, that is if they're not prevented to do so.

The two red pieces on this board shows which positions can be used to break the threat of a loose connection:

R2 C3 Q1 Ha1 Vb1 Vb2 Hc2

These are the same places at which the horizontal player wants to place additional pieces in order to connect the blue pieces.

Type II
This connection is a bit weaker than Type I.

R3 C4 Q1 Ha2 Hd2

The blue player threatens to connect the pieces by either playing c1 och b3 like this: R3 C4 Q1 Ha2 Hd2 Hb3 or the same thing by using c1.

The obvious way for the red player to stop the blue is to play either b2 or c2, like this: R3 C4 Ha2 Vb2 Vc2 Hd2

This is reasonable defense because either of the two moves (b2 or c2) shown here will block potential bridge connections using c1 or b3.