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Connect, or push first
    Keywords: Tactics
 Conceived by HolIgor

Only a fool does not connect against peeping plays. That is a proverb.

But look at the diagram.

[Diagram]
What about a push and connect?

Pushing first has advantages. The kikashi stone became heavier.



Now the task is to formulate an heuristic rule to choose a proper reply.


Pushing also has disadvantages: White probably won't play W2 and will keep it as a ko threat. Later, if a fight develops in the area, moves other than W2 might also become sente. These little things often make the difference in strong players' games.

Alain


BillSpight:

[Diagram]
What about a push and connect? (ii)

[Diagram]
What about a push and keima?



And while Alain has a point about White's not playing W2 right away, if White plays elsewhere, the exchange of WC with B1 is not good for White. The following looks more realistic:

[Diagram]
White jumps

W2 is lighter play, but there is now no immediate threat to cut.



See also kikashi and influence.



This is a copy of the living page "Connect, or push first" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2004 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.