[Welcome to Sensei's Library!]

StartingPoints
ReferenceSection
About


Referenced by
PlaysAgainstLowCh...
3454Enclosure

 

Plays against low Chinese - follow-ups
    Keywords: Opening, MiddleGame

[Diagram]
Diag.: Common outcome

This formation is often seen in contemporary go, as a result of Black's adoption of the Chinese fuseki (see plays against low Chinese opening). We can assume a white 4-4 point in the lower left corner, meaning that White is pursuing an influence-oriented strategy consistent with the stones already played on the fourth line.

When it comes to further plays here in the middle game, what options does White have?

In pro games, White's cap at a is the most usual continuation. Black may well find it too passive to answer it directly. White also frequently uses the knight's move cap, which exerts control over a black framework in the upper right. Again Black may find it too slow to respond.

White c is an interesting example of shape.


[Diagram]
Diag.: Shirae's shape comment

A book by Shirae Haruhiko remarks that this is overconcentrated with the two-space extension White has made on the side: better to have three-space extension on the side and a one-space jump into the centre.



White at d is therefore understandable - it tries harder. If Black ignores it White can easily invade.

Finally White at e and f are typical probes. They are not very often seen in pro games - they go against the idea of an influence contest around here.

[Diagram]
Diag.: White strengthened

Whether White plays 3 as shown, or at 4 looking for territory, will depend very much on the fighting position on the rest of the board. As shown White has converted the corner aji into some extra stones that make the left-side group much stronger.

Charles Matthews



This is a copy of the living page "Plays against low Chinese - follow-ups" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2003 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.