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Joseki
Staircase
44PointLowApproac...
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44PointJosekis

 

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

[Diagram]
A staircase joseki

W7 here, giving an example of the staircase shape, is one of the most surprising joseki plays. It is seen also when B2 is played at a.

HolIgor: One should remember that W7 is ladder dependent. If Black has a ladder breaker in the opposite corner, White could end up with a very bad result.


[Diagram]
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. W10 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]
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 point staircase joseki" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2003 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.