Easy way out of a double kakari

  Difficulty: Beginner   Keywords: Joseki, Tactics

This page refers to the 4-4 point, double low approach. For other forms of double kakari, see double approach.


[Diagram]

White's double kakari

The sequence up to B5 is a common joseki when confronted with a double kakari. It is quite common in handicap games.


After B5 White usually plays an extension along the left side at W6 (or one point further away) in order to stabilize her group[1]. After this, the threat of White a remains. This is why many books for beginners suggest that Black plays at b after White has extended along the side. However, playing at b might be too submissive when taking sente is crucial.

[Diagram]

White attacks

So what should Black do when White plays W1?


If Black plays a, White almost invariably follows with b and a difficult battle ensues. In a high handicap game the most common outcome is that the black corner dies.

[Diagram]

The easy way

Actually there is an easy solution.


Black plays B2 and B4 in answer to W1 and W3: and sacrifices the black+circle stones. This is a alternative worth considering. Black makes territory at the top and the two black stones are no big loss.

However, the surrounding position has to be taken into account. While this line of play is viable for many positions it may be unsuitable for others. But if Black is unsure whether he will survive the battle in the corner, he should choose this variation.

--ArnoHollosi

bearz (randy bradley)-- just browsing this site, and read this nice write-up. The suggested sequence, if I recall correctly, is also joseki and can be found in many books. It's good advice for sure.

In A Compendium of Trick Plays, Kageyama says that the "easy way" is correct, and the other line of play is unreasonable. (pushing through was the trick play) If I recall correctly, the corner shouldn't die (or there was a ko), but Black won't get a good result anyway. Makes sense, as fighting when the peaceful variation gives a huge profit is very strange indeed. -- Anonymous


[1]

Charles Maybe she does: but this is joseki, as far as I know:

[Diagram]

White's diagonal

Black now has to defend against the cut, usually at a here.


[Diagram]

White's diagonal

unkx80: For reference, this is the canonical joseki after B2. Later, White can aim to enter the corner with the clamp of a. To prevent a, Black typically plays at b.

Benjimin: What happens if 5 instead, say, puts atari on 2?


[Diagram]

White's plays

A database search (GoGod summer 2003 edition) gives these eight candidate pro moves here, after black+circle is played. The diagonal is the most common of those.


Karl Knechtel: I would think that the "easy way out of a double kakari" is to answer the first kakari? ;) :Roland Illig: In a high handicap game, Black often doesn't have the time to answer every move of White. I tried to find an example with FiveAndFourStoneFuseki, but there are only other moves.


[Diagram]

Comment

After W5, B6 must not play at a.

[Diagram]

Suboptimal variation

As B7 cannot block at W8, Black has suffered a loss while White retains sente.

[Diagram]

Suboptimal variation

The cut at W2 is a tesuji. Black suffers an even bigger loss.

[Diagram]

Suboptimal variation (W6 at white+circle, B7 at white+square)

B1 here is unreasonable. Black suffers a total loss in a similar fashion to the two stone edge squeeze.

[Diagram]

Suboptimal variation

The descent of B1 is another attempt, but W2 is a tesuji. With black+circle things are a little better, but without it the W2 tesuji is even more effective. Black still has a lot of aji in the corner.


See also:


This page needs wiki master editing.
Comment: I suggest moving the detailed discussion of this page to a separate page 4-4 point, double low approach, attach-extend, extend-block?, and then have this page list the easiest variations of the 4-4 point, double low approach, attach-extend josekis.



This is a copy of the living page "Easy way out of a double kakari" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2011 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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