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How To Respond To Kakari In a four Stone Handicap Game
   

I'm about 7k and still impressed how fast the advantage of four stones melt away in games against shodan players...

Diagram 1: a, b and c are ofter described as the best ways to respond to the marked white stone, especially in handicap games. While a might be the most secure play, I don't like it as it strengthens the white stone. b is better for influence and c is better for quick territory.

AvatarDJFlux 3k: c doesn't guarantee any territory at all: having played the marked stone, W can still invade san-san. A play at c is just more solid and less attacking than b. The choice is a matter of taste and of the surrounding position: if W has a strong position down the left side I would like to play the more solid c than b. You may also consider playing a Hasami (pincer) to the left of W's kakari.

But how to choose the answer in terms of whole board strategy?

I recently played this (Diagram 2) following local joseki and the proverb that it is never wrong to respond to kakari. But was I correct with respect for the whole board? What are the next big points for black?

[Diagram]
Diag.: Diagram 1

[Diagram]
Diag.: Diagram 2


AvatarDJFlux 3k: I do not see anything wrong with your play.
It may lack some forcefulness (again, you could have considered playing hasami instead of 2 and 6) but it is very solid: all your groups are strong, with their heads high and free in the center.
It may be a good policy not to get in a fight too soon with an opponent 4 stones stronger...
OTOH, W is overstretched all around: if she now defends, say at a, it's time to harvest the fruit of the strength you have patiently gathered: you start slicing W's extensions in half, say at b, c or d. You're in for a lot of fun!
That's why probably W won't defend at all, but will keep playing attacking moves in order to scare you and not to give you time to counterattack! :-)

Bill Spight: B 4 is a little inefficient. z is usual. But your play has the effect of driving a wedge between White's stones to keep them weak and vulnerable to attack. The current position is really juicy for Black. Any of the circled points is a good play. Go get 'em!


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