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Easy Way out of a Double Kakari
Difficulty: Beginner
Keywords: Joseki, Tactics
The sequence up to 5 is a common joseki when confronted with a double kakari. It is quite common in handicap games. After 5 White usually plays an extension along the left side at 6 (or one point below) in order to stabilize her group. After this, the threat of White a remains. This is why many books for beginners suggest that Black plays at b after White has extended along the side. However, playing at b might be too submissive when taking sente is crucial.
So what should Black do when White plays 1? If Black plays a, White almost invariably follows with b and a difficult battle ensues. In a high handicap game the most common outcome is that the black corner dies.
Actually there is an easy solution. Black plays 2 and 4 in answer to White's 1 and 3 and sacrifices the marked stones. This is a alternative worth considering. Black makes territory at the top and the two black stones are no big loss. However, the surrounding position has to be taken into account. While this line of play is viable for many positions it may be unsuitable for others. But if Black is unsure whether he will survive the battle in the corner, he should choose this variation. bearz (randy bradley)-- just browsing this site, and read this nice write-up. The suggested sequence, if I recall correctly, is also joseki and can be found in many books. It's good advice for sure. In A Compendium of Trick Plays, Kageyama says that the "easy way" is correct, and the other line of play is unreasonable. (pushing through was the trick play) If I recall correctly, the corner shouldn't die (or there was a ko), but Black won't get a good result anyway. Makes sense, as fighting when the peaceful variation gives a huge profit is very strange indeed. -- Anonymous This is a copy of the living page "Easy Way out of a Double Kakari" at Sensei's Library. ![]() |