3-4 point high approach, inside contact, tenuki variation
Normally in the 3-4 point high approach inside contact joseki, White continues at a or b, and both extend. However, it is also not uncommon in professional play for White to play to
here, then play tenuki. Most usually, White will play in the upper right, trying to settle things there first before returning to this corner.
If White is the next to play here, the joseki of course continues the normal way. For Black, cutting at is now normal. With the continuation to
, Black builds thickness while white makes a base. If the upper right is White's,
might be at a or b instead.
Black can also play , white then plays atari with
in order to push out at
in a forcing and effective way. This variation gives black an even stronger position on the left, so if that is important
is recommended. Watch out however, white will be very strong to the right.
Charles Once played by Go Seigen, in 1971; not joseki, I guess.
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/36/5130f56ef76ef4f19be1ca7fdd72b83f.png)
More aggressive
Although and
in the previous diagrams is by far the most common answer, Black also has the more aggressive move at
available. With
, White accepts the invitation to fight.
The continuation can easily get hectic.
Note: There is a ladder involved here; see Double threat ladder-maker
If White wants to avoid complications, she can play here, or
,
, white a; which is similar.
A second way for White to avoid the complications in the previous diagrams is by giving atari at first. After
, Black can build up thickness at a or b, or take sente to play elsewhere.
Not uncommonly, White plays tenuki yet again after . Black can finish the shape with
here, or at a or b. After that, this corner is played out. Black has a lot of influence, while White has only little aji left, but such a result is to be expected given that Black has played three stones more than White.