3-4 point high approach, inside contact, hanging connection

Joseki  

to is a very common 3-4 point joseki. Subsequently, a White move at a or a Black move at b is very large. The reason is that the checking extension of b amplifies the severity of a Black invasion at c. However, it should be noted that even with White a, the invasion at c still exists, but much less severe.

Depending on the left side of the board, may choose to play at d or e. here settles the position in one move, while at d or e emphasizes an additional extension on the left side. playing the clamp at f is an old joseki.

Compared to the joseki when makes a solid connection (see 3-4 point high approach, inside contact, solid connection), deep invasion by Black is quite possible - but it has good prospects for future development.

There are other variants to the joseki, see the section on "Variants" below.

Strengthening the base  

Because the invasion can potentially rob White of his base, it is usual for White to jump at in response to .

Invasion  

Because the threatens to connect at a, the standard reply is at . Many of the sequences after are well-established enough to be called side joseki. can be played at b for territory, or c for outside influence. at d leads to a ko that is heavy for both players, so the timing for this move is important.

A discussion of why is better than a can be found here.

Not recommended  

here is not recommended. After and , connects. White has lost his base and his outside is not thick, and Black can aim at cutting the stone at a. This result is undoubtly favourable for Black.

Going for territory

Going for territory  

here goes for territory, so White will get the outside influence. The traditional reply here is . Here, is a tesuji which creates a weakness on White's exterior, so the loss-making exchange of with is necessary for preventing a Black cut at a.

Going for territory  

This is one of the side josekis after the invasion.

Variant side joseki  

in the previous diagram can also be played at here, avoiding the loss-making exchange of a and b. The sequence up to has also been established as a side joseki.

More recent variation  

A more recent variation by White is to play the diagonal move at , followed by a thick move at .

Going for influence

Going for influence  

Making a high small knight's move at here aims at getting influence. connects and obtains a base, but White' position is generally low.

Going for influence  

This sequence is also considered a side joseki.

Ko

Ko  

Black also has the option of attaching at and starting a ko. This is the only sequence that actually severes the connection of the stone, and usually is the only sequence available when there is no stone (or even when there is a White at a). The resulting ko can be heavy for both players, because the winner of this ko usually gets something that looks like a ponnuki.

When Black has just taken back the ko, and both players have no more suitable ko-threats, White may consider a move at b. This usually forces Black c, then White can look forward to taking the ko at d and then ending it with a ponnuki at e. Of course, Black gets to play two moves elsewhere.

Joseki  

It is possible for to make a peep at the hanging connection if Black wants to emphasize the left side. However, the possibility of invasion at a is now essentially lost.

used to be played at b instead. AI however has a clear preference for here, as cutting off is considered good for White's viability.

Joseki  

In recent years, the direct pincer at is also common. In professional games, one of the most common reply is , and typically Black will tenuki.

may also be played at a, but because the hanging connection is looser than the solid connection, typically Black will plat at b instead of c, and a fight will erupt. See 3-4 point high approach, inside contact, hanging connection, pincer fight for more.

New joseki  

I encountered this move 6 in a game today. It's new to me, does anyone know if white has a standard followup for attacking later? Uberdude: This move was popular around 2015-2016. It aims to get a slightly bigger territory, but leaves some thinness for white to exploit later. That would be too easy if white made the solid instead of hanging connection, but now it's quite balanced. e/g/h are some possible follow ups for white. See pro game pattern search http://ps.waltheri.net/124442 for some examples.

Inside contact play  

• at a, see below
• at b: BQM77
• at 4: Non Joseki Exercise 2 / Solution
• at b: Non-Joseki Exercise 1 / Solution
• at c: Non-Joseki Exercise 3
• at b, at d: BQM 25
• tenuki: 3-4 point high approach, inside contact, tenuki variation, see also double threat ladder-maker
• at e: Migeru/Question 1
• at f: Judging forcing plays 1 / Discussion
  • white g: Pushing battles in joseki 2
• See also: Joseki and tenuki, Migeru/Question 1