4435 enclosure

    Keywords: Opening, MiddleGame, Joseki

[1]

[Diagram]

4435 enclosure

The assumption is that this is made from the initial 4-4 point.

[Diagram]

reduction sequence


This is a standard way to reduce a framework based on 4435. The 3/4 exchange may sometimes be omitted.


[Diagram]

From the 3453

Starting from the 3453 enclosure, B2 after W1, rather than Black a, is possibly too steady (though one can hardly call it a mistake - it's one possible answer to this as middlegame joseki). This accounts for White's willingness to force Black in the reduction sequence.


[Diagram]

Early endgame sequence



The 3-3 invasion in this position cannot live, but may be useful in other ways. Sometimes it can function as a probe. Here it gives White a big endgame play at 3. Black needs another move at a to secure the corner, so this should be played in the early endgame, when it ought to be sente.

[Diagram]

Life

If Black reacts on the other side to the marked play, White gains life in the corner.


[2]

This formation may arise from the 4435 enclosure, usually with at least one white stone at a or b. It is known as the Three Crows.

[Diagram]

3-3 invasion

Even with both WC stones in place, the invasion at W1 need not succeed. B4 is something of a concession (see two diagrams above for the reason, in a related case), but the corner is then safe enough.

With just WC in place, Black can try B2 (or Black at a) in reply to W1. The feeling is then to avoid being forced, and make W1 into mochikomi.



That is at the cost of some bad aji here for Black. In pro games W1 can be played as a probe.

Charles Matthews


This is a copy of the living page "4435 enclosure" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2005 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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