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34PointLowApproac...

 

3-4 point low approach one-space low pincer one-point jump
  Difficulty: Intermediate   Keywords: Joseki

[Diagram]
One-point jump

Jumping out with W1 is the most common answer to the tight pincer BC.

The answer at a is the standard play here. At b is the only real alternative: it is steady, and Black can hope then to develop on both sides.

[1]

[Diagram]
Up onto the fourth line

To answer with B1 shows consistent, natural aggression. White has to find some way to deal with this play other than pushing at the circled point.
The two major answers for White, at c and at d, have varied in popularity over recent decades. To play at d usually allows Black to take sente. On the other hand to play at c can mean large-scale fighting. Just recently the pros have been preferring c.

Noam? What is wrong with pushing at the circled point above?

Charles This is considered a basic mistake (see fifth line); strong players consider such plays only in exceptional circumstances.

Johannes? Forcing Black to crawl along the line of victory, while pushing the cart from behind, seems undesirable to me.
Karel? Now, this might be misplaced as this isn't joseki at all, I'll put this here since it was asked about. Insofar as my own games are concerned, answering a move to the circled point at the squared point or something hasn't often given satisfactory results; after that, white will play a pincer on the lone black stone instead with that wall of his. After that, when black tries to escape, white will be able to build an impressive wall for the right side.

Bill: Trying to escape with that point sounds like the problem. Black can be satisfied to sacrifice the stone on the top side in exchange for pushing along the fourth line on the left , as a rule.

In response to the circled point, nowadays I tend to extend along the side from the black stone instead if I don't feel like starting a fight.

[Diagram]
My preferred variation

That's the most peaceful option, and I rather like it - black gets the corner, white only has minor power towards the bottom, and the black group on the side where white has the wall is fairly safe, and it can be connected to the corner at b anyway - and there's he aji of the cutting point at a left to boot. I guess pros wouldn't play like this, but for amateurs (and those like me who dislike playing against gigantic moyos and walls) it could be okay.

Charles Well, White started by making a mistake; one shouldn't have to play in this sort of unorthodox way to get an advantage.



[2]

[Diagram]
Inducing play

After W1, starting a new group, B2 is just about forced. Then W3 is expected.



One can explain this sequence: W1 is an inducing move, setting up W3. It also obstructs a black extension along the left side.

[Diagram]
Main line

Next B1-B5 is the main line continuation. Black may instead try B1 at x, to trade away the pincer stone.


[Diagram]
Continuations

After that, White has a choice of way to play: at the square-marked point to fight on the left side, or at one of the circle-marked points to attack on the upper side.



There are many variations on the way to this position, though.

[3]

[Diagram]
A modern line

The variation with W1 these days is followed by B2-W3. Black will play B4 at once, but can leave follow-up moves here for a little while.



Black takes territory and sente. White was playing this way 15 years ago; but now the line above is seen again.

[4]

[Diagram]
Steady for Black

If B1 on the third line instead, White can settle easily with well-timed kikashi W2, W4 and W6.



This allows B9, developing on both sides. Black has quite a low position, though: this isn't suitable in the context of a large-scale plan.

Charles Matthews



This is a copy of the living page "3-4 point low approach one-space low pincer one-point jump" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2004 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.