3-4 point low approach

Table of contents Diagonal One-space low pincer One-space high pincer Two-space low pincer Two-space high pincer Three-space low pincer Three-space high pincer Upper attachment Side attachment Knight's move cap (not joseki)

This gives an overview of 3-4 point low approach Josekis that have a page (or several pages) on Sensei's Library.

For each joseki a standard sequence is given (this is one of the more common ones, but need not be the absolutely most common one), and an overview of pages dealing with that joseki and its variations.

This approach has been researched for at least 400 years in Japan, so the number of variations in the books is large. The key ideas are these:

• if you aim is for tight, territorial play, then it is good;
• if your only aim is to settle quickly, then it is not good. A second play is required to finish the corner, making the 3-4 slower than symmetrical plays like 4-4 or 3-3;
• if you aim is for central influence or attacking play, then it is not so good.

The last point should be qualified, in the case of a counterpincer joseki strategy.

See 3-4 approach, high or low for comparisons of the common approach moves.

Low approach  

at

• a diagonal very popular before komi
• b one-space low pincer classic, severe
• c one-space high pincer forceful
• d two-space low pincer classic
• e two-space high pincer dominant in middle of twentieth century
• f three-space low pincer
• g three-space high pincer
• h upper attachment.
• i side attachment.
• j keima - peaceful
• k two-space extension
• l shoulder hit, a quasi hamete but playable
• m not joseki, but sometimes played by beginners; see Noseki 5.
• t tenuki converts to 3-5 point low approach

Diagonal

Reinforcing the corner  

• 3-4 point low approach diagonal
• at a: 3-4 point low approach knights move extension
• at b: 3-4 point low approach two space extension
• at c: Honte Lib 1
• see also: Shusaku fuseki

One-space low pincer

One-space low pincer  

• 3-4 point low approach one-space low pincer
• at a, black b: Hamete
• at c: diagonal plays as non-standard
• tenuki: 3-4 point low approach one-space low pincer tenuki

One-space high pincer

One-space high pincer  

• 3-4 point low approach one-space high pincer
• This variation (): 3-4 point low approach one-space high pincer knight's move
  • at a: Pushing battles in joseki 7
• at b: 3-4 point low approach one-space high pincer contact underneath
  • See also: Driving Tesuji Problem 2 / Solution

Two-space low pincer

Two-space low pincer  

• 3-4 point low approach two-space low pincer
• tenuki: 3-4 point low approach two-space low pincer tenuki
• at a: 3-4 point low approach two-space low pincer diagonal

Two-space high pincer

Two-space high pincer  

• This variation ( here): 3-4 point low approach two-space high pincer diagonal
  • at a: 3-4 point low approach two-space high pincer diagonal kado
• at a: 3-4 point low approach two-space high pincer one-point jump
• at b: 3-4 point low approach two-space high pincer press
• at c
  • black a, white d: BQM 82

Three-space low pincer

Three-space low pincer  

• 3-4 point low approach three-space low pincer
• at a: 3-4 Point, Low Approach, Three Space Low Pincer, Counter Pincer
• see also: High Vs Low Pincer

Three-space high pincer

Three-space high pincer  

• 3-4 point low approach three-space high pincer
• 3-4 point low approach three-space high pincer, two-point jump, tenuki

Upper attachment

Upper attachment  

• 3-4 point low approach, upper attachment

Side attachment

Side attachment  

• at : diagonal attachment knight's move angle play sabaki technique

Knight's move cap (not joseki)

Not Joseki  

The knight's move cap of White's 3-4 low approach is not joseki. For more information on this move see Tricks in Joseki.