Open in the Corner

Low Plays

First of all, a stone on the 1-1 point (a) is useless. It can be captured and doesn't give any territory.

A stone on the 2-2 point b is not much better. Although it cannot be captured straight away, it has no serious potential for development, nor does it enclose any major territory. The 1-2 points c fall to the same logic.

The 2-3 points g make a slightly larger corner, but it is still much too small. They secure relatively few points, but what is perhaps more important, a move at the 3-3 point d (as well as one on the 3-4 point e)) claims the corner, and on a larger scale. There are no advantages to the 2-3 points to compensate for the larger territory taken by the 3-3 point or the greater possibilities of expansion of the 3-4 point.

Typical Openings

That leaves the following:

• d: the 3-3 point

Based on professional play this seems acceptable from the White point of view when receiving komi, but not when playing Black and giving komi.^[1]

• e: the 3-4 point

This is the basic claim upon the corner territory. Tried and true hundreds of years in top-level play, the 3-4 point is a basic, stable play in the corner with good potential for further expansion.

• f: the 4-4 point (the corner star point)

The 4-4 point emphasizes influence rather than corner territory. It has been the most popular opening play in professional play for the last 30 years.

• h: the 5-3 point

Less common than the 3-3, 3-4, and 4-4 points, the 5-3 point emphasizes outer influence on one side while still maintaining a presence in the corner.

• i: the 5-4 point

Less commonly seen in professional play than the 5-3 point, the 5-4 point goes for center influence.

Rare Openings

Points other than those five are rare, although not completely unheard of (see 5-5 point, 6-3 point, 6-4 point).

See Also

• Influence
• Territory
• First move in the corner
• Corners then Sides then Center
• Special properties of the corner