3-4 point high approach one-space low pincer

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The 3-4 point high approach one-space low pincer is the most common pincer played in response to the one-space high approach, and frequently used before the AI era. It is known to some as the “dogleg”, a name apparently introduced by the people behind GoGod. Numerous complicated variations arise from this position, many of which involve tesuji that have been gradually discovered over the years, causing periodic trends in the most popular variations, whereas other variations have become outdated. Due to its nuanced complexity, it is frequently misplayed by amateur players, even at the dan level, and it remains popular among amateurs in the AI era despite the fact that many professionals believe that the pincer is more favorable for White if the joseki is played correctly.

The one-space low pincer cedes territory in the corner in exchange for (A) two weaker positions on both sides, or (B) a position facing the top side.

The territory lost from this pincer can be understood as the opportunity cost from opting not to the play the attach-drawback joseki, which would give Black a large 18-point corner in sente. Given the contemporary emphasis on corner profit and territory, many professionals (and strong AI programs) prefer a large corner over the pincer variations.

Table of contents Quick Navigation Overview of Joseki 3-3 Attachment Separate Black Disrupt Moyo Discussion Tenuki is not advised References

Quick Navigation

Moves are listed by frequency in professional games[1], which is sensitive to whole-board position. Bolded moves are commonly considered joseki today.

One-Space Low Pincer  

• a, 3-4 Point High Approach, One-Space Low Pincer, 3-3 Attachment - (common) (intermediate) (AI favorite)
• b, 3-4 Point High Approach, One-Space Low Pincer, Diagonal - (traditional) (beginner)
• c, 3-4 Point High Approach, One-Space Low Pincer, Jump Down - (traditional)
• d, 3-4 Point High Approach, One-Space Low Pincer, Attach On Top - (situational)
• e, 3-4 Point High Approach, One-Space Low Pincer, Thrust - (traditional)
• f, 3-4 Point High Approach, One-Space Low Pincer, Small Knight - (rare)
• t, 3-4 Point High Approach, One-Space Low Pincer, Tenuki - (rare)
• x, 3-4 Point High Approach, One-Space Low Pincer, One-Space Jump - (mistake)

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Overview of Joseki

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3-3 Attachment

Attach/Hane
Fighting A.	Fighting B.

Attach/Cut

Cut

Attach/Settle

Settle

Separate Black

Disrupt Moyo

Discussion

PJT (2019-09-27): How come dog-leg is an alias for this page? I see nothing about dog-legs here!

Bill: Me, neither.

PJT (2019-09-30): I see in Dogleg Four/ Discussion that Charles says “you can blame the GoGod people for” this alias, which at least sheds a dim light on the matter. This name is also mentioned in Pincer Path and Named Joseki: it evidently really has been used as a nickname.

Tenuki is not advised

References

• [1] Frequency statistics were obtained from Waltheri's Go Pattern Search using the full database restrained to a local search (accessed September 2022). Due to the weighting of older games in the database, the certain variations appear to be less frequent than it actually is in recent years.
• [2] Dictionary of Basic Joseki (1977) - Yoshio Ishida
• [3] (Youtube) Ji Lili: 纠正我们学过的错误下法：第九讲·角部实地大 (2022)
• [4] (Youtube) Ji Lili: 【职业棋手讲AI定式】小目 高挂（下集） (2021)
• [5] (Youtube) Ryan Li: Common 3-4 Point Joseki for 9-1 Kyu Players (2018)
• [6] (Youtube) Stephanie Yin: 9-1 Kyu Go Joseki Mistakes (2018)
• [7] (Youtube) Baduk Doctor: 3.4 Jeseki Lesson 3 (2021)
• [8] (Youtube) Choi Cheolhan: Why is the pincer not good? - AI Master Class 10 (2020)
• [9] Fuseki Revolution (2021) - Shibano Toramaru
• [10] Kogo's Joseki Dictionary