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4-4 Point
Path: CentralLine   · Prev: Ippoji   · Next: 54Point
  Difficulty: Beginner   Keywords: Opening, Joseki

[Diagram]
Stone on the corner hoshi

The 4-4 point is the corner hoshi on a 19x19 board. It strikes a balance between outward influence / potential for development and defence of the corner. The corner is not secure, but if Black takes the corner (for example by invading at a), White is guaranteed a large amount of influence.

However, the high position of the stone means that good extensions can be based on it. Unlike the 3-4 point, there are no urgent moves to be played to stabilise the hoshi stone. White will be more likely to play a far extension on the left or upper side rather than to play a second move near the corner.


[Diagram]
A hoshi/6-4 shimari

Extending to e.g. the 6-4 point is not as good a move as completing a 3-4/5-3 shimari. Also, a hoshi/6-4 shimari (4464 enclosure) does not completely enclose the corner, it actually leaves the corner open on both sides. Even a hoshi/6-3 point (a) shimari leaves the 3-4 point b and the 3-3 point c open for invasion (4463 enclosure.)


[Diagram]
Simple joseki

Approaches (kakari) to the 4-4 point, when they are played, are usually played to make a base on the side, rather than to attack the corner. A typical sequence is shown here, and shows how Black defends the corner and extends on one side while White extends on the other side.

White 2, in this diagram, is by far the most common kakari but in some circumstances a, b or c rather than 2 is correct. Extending on the other side (either with 3 here, or with d or e) is the 'standard' answer, but there are several other possibilities as well.


[Diagram]
Old joseki

However, it is also possible to play an attachment (tsuke) against the approaching stone, such as the old joseki sequence in this diagram. (Black often chooses to play 9 elsewhere.) There are also various other options, such as a pincer against the white stone from the direction of 8 in this diagram.

What is important is to envisage what shapes your stones will have after the sequence has been played, and to evaluate how this shape will work with your surrounding stones.



Bill Spight: I don't know why Go books persist in calling this a joseki. It has been known for over a century that Black 9 is inefficient. Black a instead is good. Maybe they think that Black 9 is OK in a handicap game. <shrug>

Charles Matthews Indeed, I recently saw Magari 9 dan in a lecture set up this joseki in the four corners in a four-stone game, in a spiral pattern. And then after a short continuation claim that White was leading. So this sequence must shed quite a few points.


See also:



Path: CentralLine   · Prev: Ippoji   · Next: 54Point
This is a copy of the living page "4-4 Point" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2003 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.