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RTGProblem16

 

3-4 point low approach one-space low pincer contact on top
  Difficulty: Expert   Keywords: Joseki

[Diagram]
Contact on top

In reply to the pincer BC, W1 is essentially always answered at B2.



Now there are distinctive variations with White at a, or at b.

[1]

[Diagram]
Cut through or not?

After W1, B2 and W3 look like the key points for shape (W3 can also be played at c or d).

Now Black has to decide between pushing through at once at the square-marked point (the degiri of Kubomatsu) or strengthening the left side at one of the circled points.

[Diagram]
Standard shapes

Here W2 for a table shape and W4 (see [...]) are typical good shape plays.


[Diagram]
3-3 contact play

There is also a more rapid way to play: W1 and then W3 to cross-cut. White can play next at the marked point. White would like to gather strength without making the W2/B3 exchange above. This idea, however, may not be current in pro games.


[Diagram]
The degiri

If Black goes ahead with Kubomatsu's play, up to W4 is inevitable. Now BS is blighted.

(This idea dropped out of pro practice, a generation ago.)


[Diagram]
Central fighting

Assuming B1, something like this can be expected. Black's loss in the corner is large. In return he can attack White's floating group.



[2]

[Diagram]
Tsukehiki

There is the calmer option of W3. The areas of a and b become miai.


[Diagram]
Defending the left

If B1, the local joseki ends with W6. Black may well have to defend on the upper side.


[Diagram]
Defending the top

Assuming B1 to secure the cut, White will attack, probably at one of the marked points.


[Diagram]
Defending the top (1)

W1 may presuppose a good ladder after W9.


[Diagram]
Defending the top (2)

This W1 has been played by Cho Chikun. Black may well now play tenuki, an idea that goes back to Shusaku. White's attack isn't very severe.

Charles Matthews



The Stratagem/Trap play

[Diagram]
Stratagem

Can you see the trap?

How not fall into the stratagem/trap: Extend once more at a, when white responds with b, then jump to c.



[Diagram]
Stratagem

Alex Weldon: How to answer if Black plays here? Happened to me in a game and I screwed up and got a very bad result. a seems natural, since it gives hane at the head of two (making the marked stone look like a bad move for Black, which it probably is), but what's the best way to handle matters if Black then cuts at b? Seems like the marked Black stone is kind of hamete, given what happened to me in the game.



[Diagram]
Response

then a



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(OC) 2004 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.