BQM165

I've heard called a "foot-sweep" move, sort of kicking out the legs of a possible black position starting with . My question is: what are some sensible follow-up moves for Black and what aji is left in the corner that both players should be mindful of?

I've seen it written that with in place, Black a next is not a good idea. This makes sense because White can start a splitting attack on Black a and . Though if Black gets a stone in place at one of the circled points, perhaps a is playable (is this so?).

I've also see it written that b is one place for Black to aim, but I'm not sure what joseki-like sequences might result or if some additional supporting stones are needed to pull them off (help requested on this).

Finally, what I and another dan-level AGA player concluded was that Black should treat lightly since is so low. One way to do this is to simply extend down to c or so. What do you think?

Charles My first thought is that Black needn't do anything unreasonable here. See 4-4 point low approach, low knight's move block, first diagram.

Then I had a look at what the pros play.

In this position, is the most common play, it seems. After that there are various follow-ups for Black, now or later.

Black's problem would be to cover the distance to , somehow.

On the other hand, this seems a most rare side pattern.

This occurred once, played by Kobayashi Koichi. But I think the foot-sweep here is a little odd (territorial), given .

Bill: I think that the idea that you can view - in the original diagram as kikashi is sound. Extending back on the right side to d or e, as the in the professional examples, is in line with that. As is an extension to c or a shimari in the bottom left corner.