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strategic arrangement of go stones at the beginning of a game; opening moves
preparations; preparatory steps; arrangements; (laying the) groundwork (for)
留学は将来への布石となる。
Studying abroad will be groundwork for the future.
新規事業は海外展開の布石である。
The new business is groundwork for overseas expansion.
その人事異動は、大規模な改革への布石だと明らかになった。
That personnel change was revealed to be groundwork for a major reform.