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Aliases (info)
KeimaShimari
KogeimaJimari
KogeimaShimari
SmallKnightSMoveE...
SmallLowEnclosure
SmallLowShimari

Paths
EnclosureTechniques

Referenced by
34Point
Keima
Enclosure
3454Enclosure
JosekiQuickReference
IntermediatePlayS...
ProbePopularMisco...
DoubleWingFormation
EnclosureJosekisT...
EnclosureJoseki
3443Enclosure
LessonsInTheFunda...
MakeBothEndsStrong
DoubleWingFormati...
EnclosureNomencla...
ExtendingFromAnEn...
EnclosureNotation
34PointEnclosureJ...
TheNineStandardEn...
StopTheNotationMa...

 

3453 enclosure
    Keywords: Opening

[Diagram]
3453 enclosure

This is a very popular enclosure, in particular with amateur players who have a territorial style?. It is also known as the small low enclose shimari.


[Diagram]
Enclosure opening



There was a period in the years around 1960 when this B1-B3-B5 formation for Black was the most popular of all opening patterns. That was in the days of 4.5 komi (as the general rule - see komi Go). This enclosure opening has never been refuted, of course - it is hard to imagine such a thing. It does convey the attitude that Black can do well enough by tight, territorial Go.

With komi becoming universally adopted, White saw less need to forestall B5 by playing an approach in that corner as W4 (leading on to a Shusaku fuseki pattern). Nowadays the Orthodox fuseki has to some extent taken the place of this opening, as a solid way to play; of course then Black is less likely to play a pincer joseki. When White approaches at a Black can indeed play a good pincer on the upper side. For White at b this isn't such a clear-cut issue.

[Diagram]
White's techniques

One effect of the intensive use of this enclosure is that White's various reduction and probing techniques have been thoroughly researched.



  1. White a and b are reduction plays;
  2. White c builds up the left side but Black will normally develop on the top side;
  3. White d and e are useful probes, depending on whether the left side or top side is more interesting as an area in which White would like some stones.

Most of these techniques are old - few can be shown to be innovations with particular dates of introduction to high-level play.

[Diagram]
Shimamura's play

The combination of B6 and B10 may be due to Shimamura Toshihiro in a 1950 Oteai game against Takagawa. This sequence occurs in the 1971 Honinbo Tournament book, with the attribution to him (but no game reference).

The idea is that White cannot now live in the corner. The stone B10 is not for taking.


[Diagram]
Continuation

This follow-up sequence is still being played in pro games.

From Black's point of view, White has played on the unintended top side. As ever with middlegame joseki, nearby stones have a vast effect on the judgement of the result.

Charles Matthews



Further information:



This is a copy of the living page "3453 enclosure" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2004 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.