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AttachBlockJoseki

Referenced by
44PointJosekis
TsukeOsae
TaxonomyOfJoseki
FirstMoves
44PointLowApproach
TaxonomyTest

 

4-4 point low approach attach-block joseki
  Difficulty: Intermediate   Keywords: Joseki

[Diagram]
Attach-block joseki



See attach-block for the fundamental shape here.

A first interesting point about this joseki concerns W4. Can White omit this play, in order to leave a weakness at the 3-3 point in the corner?

[Diagram]
Not playing atari

That idea is really in the realm of handicap go: playing the atari is undoubtedly the honte. There is an example from a quickplay game Cho Chikun-Kato Masao 1990-09-09, as here. After W1 Black made strong shape with B2, and White invaded at once with W3, making miai of a and b.

In general this would be considered a thin way for White to play.

Charles Matthews



Am I correct in thinking that the choice of W6 depends greatly on the situation along the left hand side of the board? W2 and W6 are in a good position to exploit a play W8 at the circled point. However, leaving aside the objection that White should have made an approach on the open side, if Black already has a stone in the vicinity of the marked point, would White not be better advised to play at a and seek influence in the centre, or is it simply the case that under those circumstances this is not joseki in the sense of an equitable result being attained?

[Diagram]
Is a move at a valid?

Phlegmatic



I agree with you that in that case White a rather than W6 appears to be the correct joseki. In fact, looking at pro games, I find that W6 is not a very common move: If White wants to make territory, White b is more common; if White goes for influence or thickness, a is. - Andre Engels

In Japan three years ago, I heard Tokimoto Hajime comment about this; saying that amateur players, who like the move at a, may run short of territory. That is, the pro attitude is rather more territorial here.

More variations can be added: I posted this new page to split it from the attach-block shape page. -- Charles Matthews


unkx80: Putting this up for reference.

[Diagram]
Attach-block joseki

B6 may be played at a.


[Diagram]
Attach-block joseki


Common Mistake

[Diagram]
Attach-block joseki

B1 is trying too hard; the corner still has problems left behind. At a is the vital point.


[Diagram]
Attach-block joseki

If Black tries to get the two stones with a or c, White will respond with b; and after the capture play W5.



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