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4-4 point one-space low pincer invasion, interception
Path: 44PointLowApproachOneSpaceLowPincer   · Prev:   · Next: 44PointOneSpaceLowPincerInvasionBlock
Path: InvasionItinerary   · Prev: 44PointOneSpaceLowPincerInvasionBlock   · Next: KeshiAndUchikomiReductionAndInvasionInGo

    Keywords: Joseki

[Diagram]
A basic joseki

If Black intercepts at B1, the joseki to W8 can be expected[1]. After this, Black has several choices. Among professionals, playing tenuki now seems to be the most common. If White gets to play here next, a is the most likely spot.



[Diagram]
Keima (White 2 tenuki)

With B1, Black extends his thickness. After this, White normally answers at B3.



This may seem like a lukewarm move, but actually it is honte. Any other way of defending leaves too much aji for Black to aim at. If White does not answer B1, Black will make the profitable exchange of B3 for W4. It is painful for White to allow Black this exchange in sente, but still it is playable - the sequence here was played by Cho Chikun (Black) against Kobayashi Koichi in the 1999 Kisei title match.

[Diagram]
Pincer

The tsume of B1 is rarely played directly. Nevertheless, it is a common manoeuvre for Black. After W2 and B3, White has sente, but Black has confined her to the corner, and now has strength on both sides and towards the center.


[Diagram]
Running into the center

The alternative for White is to run into the center with W2 and W4. After W10...


[Diagram]
Continuation

Black patches up his shape with B1. The continuation to W8 is one possibility. White has set her sights on the BC stones, but B7 makes him thick in the center.


[Diagram]
Overconcentrated

B1 is not a good move with the one-space low pincer. The BC stone is now too close to Black's wall.



[Diagram]
Minor variation

Few variations are possible to the basic joseki after B1. One possibility is for Black to play B7 here rather than at a. The advantage is that White now cannot play at B7, either to connect her stone or cut off Black's wall from the rest of his position on the top, and the hane-connect of White b is not sente in the yose. The disadvantage of course is the possibility of the white cut at a.



[Diagram]
Understandable mistake

B3 feels natural (hane at the head of two), but it is a mistake. (See more at go bloopers.)

There are two ways for White to punish it. The first is by the simple hane and connection of W4 and W6, followed by the tesuji of W8. If Black draws back at B9, White connects at W10. Compared to the normal joseki, Black has made the extra exchange of B3 for W10 - which is clearly aji keshi.


[Diagram]
Black resists

If Black tries to resist with B1, White cuts at W2. One possible follow-up is shown. If Black does not play at B7 (but for example at B9), White wins the semeai after White at B7-Black a - White b.


[Diagram]
Continuation

Black has been forced into a clumsy shape, while BC has been cut off. The four white stones are far from captured yet.


[Diagram]
Second possibility.

The second possible answer to B1 is W2. If Black connects at W4, White connects underneath at B3 and is satisfied with her corner area. However, if Black descends to B3, White fearlessly cuts at W4. If Black tries to save his stone on the left at W5, White goes after the three stones at B6.


[Diagram]
Continuation

W4 is tesuji. After this move, the four black stones have no possibility left for escape.



Author: AndreEngels


[1]

A less common variation is at 4-4 point one-space low pincer invasion, interception, hane underneath - click on W6.



Path: 44PointLowApproachOneSpaceLowPincer   · Prev:   · Next: 44PointOneSpaceLowPincerInvasionBlock
Path: InvasionItinerary   · Prev: 44PointOneSpaceLowPincerInvasionBlock   · Next: KeshiAndUchikomiReductionAndInvasionInGo

This is a copy of the living page "4-4 point one-space low pincer invasion, interception" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2003 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.