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Joseki as a source of bad habits
Keywords: Joseki
If atari go or an early explanation of territory are the sources of bad habits by beginners (see beginners play atari), the main source for bad habits and misunderstandings by more experienced players may well be joseki. Some examples: 1. "The contact play is an attacking move"This is a widespread misunderstanding, although many players are probably not aware of the fact that they play a contact play as an attack. Where does it come from ? (i) The joseki
Every player will have met this handicap joseki. Perhaps it is even the first joseki many players learn. It is said to be the most aggressive response to White's keima kakari. It starts with the contact play at 2 ... No wonder people mistake the contact play for an attacking move ! A contact play to attack goes against the proverb attack from a distance. If we trust the proverb, we come to understand that the real attacking move is the marked stone. Let's invert the order of play:
Black 4 is a perfect attacking move, in accordance with the proverb. What is then the purpose of Black 2 ? The contact play forces an answer (see basic instinct). It commits White to invest in his stone and make it twice as valuable. At the same time it denies White the flexibility to jump into the corner and dodge the attack. In other words, Black 2 makes White heavy. (ii) A typical misinterpretation
A typical misinterpretation of the contact play occurs when the handicap shifts to 6 or 7 stones and the marked stone of the previous diagram is not present. In absence of the attacking stone, Black 2 makes White strong in an undisputed area. After Black's necessary defense at 4, White has a perfect extension to 5 or a. Black's corner is not completely invulnerable, now that White has little to worry about on the side.
If Black omits the defensive move an attacks prematurely at 4, White strengthens her stones even more and the attack becomes rather futile. I have to say that this kind of conventional wisdom is currently under investigation due to the new development in Korean Baduk. Charles Matthews Speaking of 'conventional wisdom' - here White 7 is sometimes played (by pros) but then followed up by double hane with White 9 at a. The more usual joseki is White 7 at 9, Black 8 at 7. 2. "The contact play keeps sente"Another variant of the mistaken view on the contact play as an aggressive move. Where does it come from ? (i) The joseki
Of all the joseki in even play, this is probably the most popular. It is especially welcomed by players who like to settle a situation early. After Black 6, White must extend to 7 or Black has a perfect attacking move around 7. So Black has sente. He starts with the contact play at 2 ...
(ii) A typical bad application
Although Black does keep sente, the blind application of the above joseki moves lead to the infamous bermuda triangle - see that page to read more about this situation.
3. "Permitting the hane at the head is quite all right"Everybody who has enjoyed a brief exposure to shape or technique knows that it is favourable to hane at the head. Still a lot of players (including me) continue to move their own stones in the hane'd position. Where does it come from ? (i) The joseki
The avalanche joseki is food for more experienced and adventurous players. The result will usually trade White influence for Black territory. It is beyond me to understand the avalanche joseki, but facts are that even though this shape is usually very unfavourable for White, it is playable in this position.
(ii) A bad habit
This is not such a common mistake, maybe, but it is surely a case where Black's hane is extremely advantageous. 4. The angle playThe angle play is one of those moves that I'd like to see disappear from my club members' games because I seldom feel it gives a good result. Where does it come from ? (i) The joseki
There are probably other sources for this bad habit, but part of it may be written on the account of this joseki.
(ii) A bad habit
This is many a player's standard opening in a 9H game. The angle play of Black 1 only makes his position worse, both in terms of shape and encirclement. Authors: This is a copy of the living page "Joseki as a source of bad habits" at Sensei's Library. ![]() |