4-4 6-3 enclosure

4-4 6-3 enclosure  

This enclosure, a small knight's move enclosure from a 4-4 point, is in frequent use in contemporary go. It emphasizes territory more than the large knight's move 4-4 7-3 enclosure does.

3-3 invasion becomes ko  

The prime reason for saying that is the fate of the 3-3 invasion .

The 3-3 invasion here becomes ko in this main variation; though that's not the whole story.

See 4-4 6-3 enclosure, 3-3 invasion for more information.

Reduce with the shoulder hit  

Black's answer's at a and b both leave a little to be desired, so may (if well-timed) successfully prevent Black building a framework on a large scale here. Naturally, if Black intends to build in the centre, it would be more consistent to make the initial enclosure with a fourth line play, such as the 4-4 6-4 enclosure and the 4-4 7-4 enclosure).

Diagonal attachment  

This diagonal attachment has its own discussion at 4-4 point low approach low extension, tenuki.

Pincer  

After played as a pincer the exchange White a - Black b doesn't give White a proper base, so White is somewhat heavy here (position discussed at 4-4 point low approach low extension, slide, pincer, tenuki). Therefore White normally plays at one of the circled points.

Footsweep  

In other circumstances the footsweep is designed to attack White's base on the outside while taking the corner.

Closing the corner  

Black may simply opt to take the corner with here. Later, and Endgame Tesuji 4 may be relevant followups.

Other options  

If the direction of play is to favour the upper side, Black may also play at a or b.

Skirt approach  

Bill: Don't forget the ever popular susogakari. :-)