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Extension

 

Extending From AShimari
   

[Diagram]
Diag.: The direction of a shimari

In practice, there will be two shimari you will want to extend from: the 3-4/5-3 shimari and the 3-4/5-4 shimari. Both of these shimari have a 'low' and a 'high' side - you will want to extend along the 'high' side. I.e. in the diagram on the left, white should extend leftwards towards 'a', not downwards.


[Diagram]
Diag.: Extensions from shimaris

The main reasons why this is so should be clear from the diagrams: white's 1 works better with his higher position on the ledt than blacks 2 does with his low position on the right.

The 3-4/5-3 shimari, already being more territory oriented, is usually seen with an extension on the third line. However, if the corner extended towards is your own, a fourth line extension is usually preferable, the extension being extra valuable as it is an extension from both corners. Otherwise, the presence of the opponents stone or shimari in the corner normally indicates a third line extension. Extending on the fourth line would often give your opponent a free 'counter-extension' on the third line towards your extension which you will be obliged to respond on the third line, giving you an inefficient shape and leaving him sente.

As for the length of the extension: in nearly all cases the extension should be halfway across to the other corner (I.e. below the hoshi marker).

As always, exceptions are numerous. If the opponent has a strong position in the opposite corner, typically after a joseki, this may be to far, and may leave you open for an invasion between your shimari and the extension stone.


[Diagram]
Diag.: Kakari as extension

On the other hand, if like white above you can play a kakari followed by a joseki that leaves you sente, you can play that, followed by the hoshi point afterwards. However, your opponent may not necessarily let you play the joseki that you want, though :-) Black should probably answer with a pincer at 'a' or thereabouts.



This is a copy of the living page "Extending From AShimari" at Sensei's Library.
(C) the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.