Dropping back
Dropping back (Japanese hazusu) means to yield some ground to your opponent instead of directly blocking or cutting. You may also find the English term dodge.
Example 1
White connects underneath with , a keima watari.
How to answer and preserve the connection?
is the basic dropping back idea. By conceding a little, White stays out of trouble.
B cannot continue on with .
this way is a bad idea. After
White is in difficulties on the left side (reading problem).
Example 2
This is from a game Qian Yuping-Nie Weiping (B) 1989-07-13.
How should White react to ?
White concedes first with . Black's wedge
invites White a.
But White plays . After
Black has some sente profit. On the other hand White's shape is improved.
here is quite a bad idea. Black's cut at
is strong, and suddenly Black can see some use for the
stone.