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ShusakuKosumi

Referenced by
Joseki
Kosumi
AnswerKeimaWithKo...
ShusakuFuseki
34PointJosekis
ShuhoSOpeningTheory
StrengtheningYour...
ChoiceOfCornerOpe...
34PointLowApproach
Move31Game2
JosekiRepertoireF...
SidePatternShusak...
HowNotToTeachGo

 

3-4 point low approach diagonal
    Keywords: Joseki

[Diagram]
Steady answer

Black's diagonal play (marked stone). A key part of the nineteenth-century Shusaku fuseki. In komi go a pincer is much more common. Players such as Kato Masao and Cho Chikun still like this play, in certain contexts.

HolIgor: I understand that this move is considered not as strong now due to komi. But overcoming komi is Black's problem, while White, in order to subdue Black's initiative should like to play this solid move, in our time as well. What do you think?

Dieter: I think the whole analysis of this kosumi and its slowness with respect to komi, is about the whole board position also known as Shusaku fuseki. White is never in a position to play that fuseki. Locally she can make this move but it will not fit the rest of the board as it does for Black in that particular opening. Now I do think we should all try this kosumi regardless.

Charles In fact this play was very much in fashion in 2002, for both sides.



[Diagram]
White 3 tenuki

The most common white reply is tenuki. In Edo-period games B4 next here was standard, with White probably responding at a. Later this play went out of fashion: Black can instead play a pincer on the upper side, rather than encourage White to take territory. It is however still played in pro games.


[Diagram]
Three-space extension

If White does respond here, the light extension to W3 is a common choice. White's plan is Black a, White b if the invasion comes.


[Diagram]
Knight's move

Another common choice is W3 here, which is reasonable both from the point of view of taking up position on the upper side, and matching Black's influence.


[Diagram]
Two-space extension

Extending only two spaces to W3 here seems to go against conventional wisdom: after Black a White b, W3 is too close to the two-stone wall. But in terms of the overall position this choice of W3 is played in pro games, in order to establish a solid group: and Black often holds back from playing a.


[Diagram]
Four-space extension

This is a classical play, that isn't really part of the modern style except in special cases.



This is a copy of the living page "3-4 point low approach diagonal" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2003 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.