[Welcome to Sensei's Library!]

StartingPoints
ReferenceSection
About


Referenced by
Staircase
StaircaseStatistics
SmallKnightExtens...

 

4-4 staircase joseki
  Difficulty: Dan level   Keywords: Joseki

[Diagram]
Diag.: A staircase joseki

White 7 here, giving an example of the staircase shape, is one of the most surprising joseki plays. It is seen also when Black 2 is played at a.

HolIgor: One should remember that W 7 is ladder dependent. If black has a ladder breaker in the opposite corner, white could end up with a very bad result.


[Diagram]
Diag.: From pro play

There are many possible lines in the books, but in this case a standard continuation seems to be current, as shown here. White 10 is to avoid being shut in. In this case playing atari in the staircase formation turns out better for Black than connecting solidly at 4.


[Diagram]
Diag.: Avoiding tricks

With the marked stone played on the fourth line, there are some trick plays possible if Black connects. Top players have continued as shown with Black, playing for central influence.

Charles Matthews



This is a copy of the living page "4-4 staircase joseki" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2003 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.