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Aliases (info)
Press35Joseki

Referenced by
TeachingGame66
BQM34
AjiInJoseki1
Jabberwocks
TG66Move9Joseki
SidePatterns
Opposing34Points
TeachingGame67Mov...
Kake

 

Press
   

[Diagram]
Diag.: Press joseki

Black 1 here aims to press White to the third line, creating a position in which White can avoid being low only with some tactical trouble. This is joseki, in which some lines are quite simple but others definitely not.


[Diagram]
Diag.: Cutting through

This way of cutting through the pressing play is considered to be an overplay, in normal circumstances. It is sometimes playable in conditions when White is strong locally. But in general White has quite a hard time taking care of the corner. Note the windmill pattern.



The press is for the most part too simple-minded a play to be seen often in pro games. It also gives the opponent territory early on, which is something about which strong players feel a basic reluctance.

It certainly occurs in combination with other stones, in two ways:

  1. If White has played a pincer on the top side.
  2. If White has extended along the left side without preparation.

[Diagram]
Diag.: Immediate extension is questionable.

It was a traditional teaching that in this case White 1 isn't good because Black 2 would press White unacceptably low.

There is probably much truth still in that. White does better to play at 2, before 1; or play a pincer in the top left.


[Diagram]
Diag.: White resists being pressed down

Nothing is ever quite that simple, though. White can try fighting this way, making 1 work as part of the overall position.


[Diagram]
Diag.: Shoulderhit

Therefore in games from the early Edo period, when these matters were still being worked out, you see Black 2 here, anticipating the press at a.


[Diagram]
Diag.: Extend on the fourth line

These days, one is just as likely to see the extension on the fourth line with White 1. Then Black at a to press has to be seen in conjunction with Black at b - which might be good here, but the timing has to be worked out.



Chikun's plan

[Diagram]
Diag.: 3-5 and 3-3

This is one of the less common side formations. If Black plays next at a the corner co-ordination is reasonable (not great, perhaps, compared to the orthodox fuseki).


[Diagram]
Diag.: The press plan

Assuming White enters at 1 here, the co-ordination isn't brilliant if Black plays, for example, the pincer b. Black's chances of a framework on the upper side are limited by what White might do with the shoulder hit at c next. Black at b looks like the right type of idea with a 4-4 in the right-hand corner.

Cho Chikun's play, in a number of his games, is to press with 2. This then assumes that the right-hand corner can take care of itself. In playing the press one has to bear in mind some large-scale variations leading to a pushing battle.

Charles Matthews



This is a copy of the living page "Press" at Sensei's Library.
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