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SmallKnightExtens...

 

small knight extension from 4-4, slide, pincer
  Difficulty: Advanced   Keywords: Joseki

[Diagram]
Diag.: Initial position

This occurs after Black 4 here. White at a next is considered the main continuation, but there are other plays.


[Diagram]
Diag.: Main line

These plays are still the main line, though increasingly Black 2 is played directly at 4. White plays 5 for ladder aji.



After these moves, Black needs another play here. If the ladder works Black can play at b (and then will need to capture shortly). It seems, from pro games, that this is a subtle discussion:

  • this variation is played even when the ladder is bad for Black, and Black must play a now;
  • even if the ladder is good for Black, Black may anyway play a.

Naturally the evaluation of the position after Black at a must depend on the prospects in a fight if White's cutting stone escapes.

[Diagram]
Diag.: Other ways

The other ideas for White here:

  • play at a, Black c, then White f;
  • jump out at b, which is discussed elsewhere;
  • play at c for tsukehiki, to avoid being shut in;
  • White d, Black g, White e (played by Hasegawa Akira in 1938);
  • White tenuki, Black f, White e to make some shape.


This is a copy of the living page "small knight extension from 4-4, slide, pincer" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2003 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.