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3-3 Point Invasion
Path: InvasionItinerary   · Prev: AutomaticInvasionAtThe34Point   · Next: 44Point33InvasionJoseki
  Difficulty: Beginner   Keywords: Joseki

The information on this page is meant for weaker kyu players. Stronger kyu and dan players are advised to look at 4-4 point 3-3 invasion joseki instead.

[Diagram]
The 3-3 point invasion

Many weak players fear the invasion of W1 in this diagram. Playing Black, they have the idea that their corner territory is taken away, and are, in a sense, correct. After W1, it is White rather than Black who will make territory in this corner.



Nevertheless, Black should welcome this invasion. Black shouldn't see this move as an attack on Black's territory; the 4-4 point is not meant to take the corner, but to make thickness and seek a balance between territory and influence. The white invasion at W1 is separated from the rest of the board by the black stone on the 4-4 point. By playing correctly Black will get a strong position. Because of this, stronger players play W1 only if the position on the edges is such that a white stone at a or b will come under attack.


Prevention

[Diagram]
Prevention

The usual way to prevent the 3-3 point invasion is a stretch at B1 or a depending on where friendly stones are nearby. The one-space jump at b or c and the diagonal at d can also be used, though they are seen less frequently.



Invasion Joseki

[Diagram]
Joseki

To W1 Black will invariably answer with B2 (or Black at W3, on the other side). W3 ensures that White's corner will not be too small. B4 is an important move, pushing White towards the side and reducing the size of the White's corner. White plays at W5 to avoid Black playing at the same point. The severe double hane of B6 at 7 can be considered more advanced. After W7, Black should stretch at B8.


[Diagram]
The joseki continues

Next, White plays hane at W1, and the joseki ends with B4. White has sente and a few points in the corner, but Black's wall is like a block of concrete, controlling a large part of the board. This result is regarded as good for Black locally, but is often White's best choice, nonetheless. Later in the game the cut at a might be a problem for Black, see Squeeze for more discussion how and when to defend.

Reuven: What if white tries to do these 2 in reversed order? (Not much, can be changed by white, but I didn't c any white variations, which differ from the main line - Only blacks options were explored, it seems, no?)


[Diagram]
Changing the order

Paul Clarke, 2dan: If White tries to reverse the order, Black may be able to answer W3 with B4 in the diagram "Changing the order". This lets Black shut White into the corner (particularly as 'a' is Black's sente). White ends up with a smaller corner than in the joseki, and Black may be in a position to make territory on the left. The disadavantage for Black is the aji of the cut at 'b'.



[Diagram]
Overplay

B1 here instead of B8 in the joseki (W2 in this diagram) is overdoing things. After W8, Black has problems.


[Diagram]
Overplay (2)

White could also attack the black stones at the left with these moves. Either way, White has destroyed Black's thickness, and has good chances of getting even more.



Charles I've seen a pro as White play directly at B5 after B1 here.


Variation where White ends with fewer points, and Black ends in gote - ZeroKun

[Diagram]
Variation

Charles This B6 is a trick play, discussed at 4-4 point 3-3 invasion joseki, hane inside cut.



Variations

This joseki has a few variations, most of them designed to give Black the possibility of ending in sente. If you want to look at them, see 4-4 point 3-3 invasion joseki.

Queries

[Diagram]
Queries


mat Very often I ask myself if a 3-3 point invasion still works in the presence of more than one black stone. I've set up a page to discuss which of those work and which don't: 3-3 Point - When Does It Work


Original authors: Andre Engels, Adamzero, JamesA



Path: InvasionItinerary   · Prev: AutomaticInvasionAtThe34Point   · Next: 44Point33InvasionJoseki
This is a copy of the living page "3-3 Point Invasion" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2004 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.