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Joseki
44PointLowApproach
44PointJosekis
44PointLowApproac...

 

4-4 point low approach large low extension
  Difficulty: Advanced   Keywords: Opening, Joseki

[Diagram]
A traditional play

This answer B2 to W1 was the common play in Edo-period Japan, and throughout the old development in China. It was played much less in the twentieth century.

It has been making something of a comeback in the twenty-first.

The ideas involved are different from those with the other extension responses. White takes into account that Black might take a big corner with one more play here. White a is therefore played early. Otherwise White b is reasonable; tenuki is also a major option. White at c was the old Chinese play, now effectively obsolete.


[Diagram]
Taboo

In this case the slide with White 1 isn't seen in high-level play[1]. With the black extension stone on the marked point, Black's stones are more efficiently placed. What was acceptable to White when Black's extension was to a is here unacceptable.


[Diagram]
The 3-3 invasion: new line

In many recent games the 3-3 invasion has gone this way. Black plays 6 to deny White's hane, rather than at a.


[Diagram]
The 3-3 invasion: new line (continued)

It could be that both players are satisfied with this kind of result. The marked white stone is weak but not closely confined.



[1]

One related place where the slide is seen:

[Diagram]
A common development

This has been, well, an orthodox development of the orthodox fuseki over recent years. White slides at W4 despite B3. This is seen especially in case the enclosure is the large low shimari, with the marked black stone moved to a.


[Diagram]
Invasion forecast

In fact it is normal for Black to invade at B1 here immediately, rather than answer at a.


[Diagram]
White strong and happy

White is presumably happy with this result. White's strong group makes up for Black's efficient left corner; because the right corner is a loose formation and White knows that she will fight there in the future. (This result was seen in a game Yi Se-tol vs. Seo Pong-su.)

This interpretation is a manifestation of a basic principle of framework theory: it is an advantage to build a strong group on the edge of the opponent's framework.

Charles Matthews



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