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4-4 point one-space low pincer, one-point jump
Path: 44PointLowApproachOneSpaceLowPincer   · Prev: 44PointLowApproachOneSpaceLowPincerHighDoubleApproach   · Next: 44PointLowApproachOneSpaceLowPincerUpperContact
  Difficulty: Advanced   Keywords: Joseki

[Diagram]
Jumping into the center

The intention of W1 is to stop Black from getting a framework on the left side. It leads to a rather complex joseki, but professionals regard it as slightly better for Black. Black will defend his left-side position with a or b.



[Diagram]
Still joseki?

After B1, W2 is regarded as correct. The sequence to W10 is regarded as joseki, but the general feeling among professionals is that this is slightly better for Black, because coming back to defend at W10 is too slow.



In pro games, W10 has not been played recently - it has to some extent been replaced by White at a, which has been refined by White b, Black c, White a. But often W10 is d, then tenuki. Charles Matthews


The order of moves in this variation is not strict. Black may play B5 before B3, or after B7.

[Diagram]
Another move

Because the result in the previous diagram is considered unsatisfactory for White, other possibilities have been attempted for W10.

One of them is W1 here. If next Black plays B2 and B4, White quietly connects at W5. After B6, White still has the invasion at a to look forward to. It is unlikely that White will die if she plays there, but she does run the risk that it is too small to play now. The play at a is basically a very large endgame move, and should therefore be kept for the late middle game.

[Diagram]
Black's alternative

Black could also play B1 here. W2 used to be considered joseki. The result is equal to the previous joseki, except for the B1-W2 exchange. Unfortunately for White, Black might well use stronger weapons...


[Diagram]
Severe

Instead of B9 in the previous diagram, Black could play the crude but severe moves of B1 to W8 first. White's four stones are under attack, and if there is a black stone around the middle of the left side (which often there is when this joseki is played), she probably has to search for life with W10.


[Diagram]
Follow-up (Black 11 at a)

White can live in the corner, but because she has to play W6 to do so, Black can take control of the center with B7 and B9. Black is clearly better off in this diagram.


[Diagram]
White's answer

Because the previous diagram leads to disaster, W2 is considered correct. After W4, fighting in this area comes to a temporary halt. Sometimes W4 is omitted. White could try to exchange White a for Black b before playing W2.


[Diagram]
Fighting (Black 11 at a)

Black's third possibility [1] is the combination of B1 and B3, which leads to strong fighting (if B3 is played at W4, we get a transposition to the joseki above). Black should not play this way if the ladder at b works for White, but if it does not, and there are black stones in the neighbourhood to help him, this could become very painful for White.


[Diagram]
No alternative

After B2, there is no real alternative to White a. White b is too mild, while exchanging W3 for B4 is considered bad because White loses the option of invading at the 3-3 point. This exchange should only be made if White intends to build a base on the upper side, but doing so has been made a priori impossible by BC.


[Diagram]
Similar

The variations after B2 are similar to those after Black a, although there are some differences. One of those is that W3 is considered not completely out of the question in this position, because White has more difficulties living in the corner, so giving up that option is less of a problem.

See also the go bloopers page, on the 'misplaced slide'.



[1] This cut line has been played frequently in recent pro games; it really needs its own page.


Authors;

  • AndreEngels, 2D Europe (but feel free to make corrections or additions)


Path: 44PointLowApproachOneSpaceLowPincer   · Prev: 44PointLowApproachOneSpaceLowPincerHighDoubleApproach   · Next: 44PointLowApproachOneSpaceLowPincerUpperContact
This is a copy of the living page "4-4 point one-space low pincer, one-point jump" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2003 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.