4-4 point low approach

Return to page joseki article: 4-4 point Josekis

The 4-4 Point Low Approach (aka. Small Knight Approach or Keima Kakari) is one of the most common (~85% frequency^[1]) and popular 4-4 point Joseki, and it is a basic move that is played at all skill levels. The small knight approach is flexible and threatens to enter the corner or extend along the side. It is typically played when the player hopes to settle a position, sketch a loose framework, deny an extension/enclosure, acquire territory, or develop a moyo in one direction of the board.

Compared with other star point approach joseki, professionals and strong AI programs regard the knight's move as the main star point side approach that obtains the best local result for White. Other side approach moves result in a slight local loss for White, and they are seldom played except in specific global board positions.

Popular joseki related to this position have evolved over the centuries. Some of the patterns listed in this reference are no longer considered "joseki", but the viability of unusual moves is highly sensitive to the surrounding board position. The difference in winning rate between traditional and modern joseki is often less than a point, so many old joseki are still valid and playable particularly at the amateur level. Although traditional beginner joseki like the 4-4 Point Slide Joseki are now largely obsolete among professionals ever since the AI revolution, it is still a very good, balanced, and simple joseki for beginners.

Responses to the small knight approach can be classified into: local extensions, tenuki, pincers, kick, and contact play.

Table of contents Quick Navigation Overview of Star Point Low Approach Joseki Local Extensions Tenuki Pincers Kick Attachment Other Responses Discussion When and where to pincer? Is the kick joseki bad? Is the attach joseki bad? See Also 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.

corner  

• a, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Small Knight Extension - (joseki) (AI favorite) (common) (beginner)
• b, 4-4 Point Low Approach, One-Space High Extension - (joseki) (beginner)
• e, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Kick - (joseki) (common) (beginner)
• c, 4-4 Point Low Approach, One-Space Low Pincer - (joseki) (common) (intermediate)
• d, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Tenuki - (joseki) (AI favorite) (common) (intermediate)
• f, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Two-Space High Pincer - (joseki) (intermediate)
• k, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Attachment - (joseki) (common) (intermediate)
• g, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Large Knight Extension - (joseki)
• h, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Two-Space Low Pincer - (joseki)
• i, 4-4 Point Low Approach, One-Space High Pincer - (joseki)
• j, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Low Knight's Move Block - (joseki)
• l, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Three-Space High Pincer - (joseki)
• m, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Three-Space Low Pincer - (joseki)
• n, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Iron Pillar - (situational)
• o, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Takamiya's Diagonal - (rare)
• p, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Knight Move Cap - (rare)
• q, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Shoulder Hit - (trick play)
• r, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Attachment Underneath - (trick play)
• s, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Two-Space High Extension - (rare/mistake)
• t, 4-4 Point Low Approach, Four-Space Low Pincer - (rare)

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Overview of Star Point Low Approach Joseki

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Local Extensions

Local Extensions
Small Knight Extension (~56%)[1]	One-Space High Extension (~29%)[1]	Large Knight Extension (~3%)[1]

Local extensions along the side are a territorial and solid response to the low approach. It defends the star point from getting double approached (potentially resulting in a weak group), solidifies a base, and is very efficient. The small knight extension is one of the most reliable responses in modern go and is frequently well-regarded by professionals and AI programs. The local extension places more emphasis on the side of the board than the corner, often allowing White to share or even jump into the corner, but Black is often able to gain more than White in the process.

• The small knight extension is the most common local response since the 1990s. It is the most solid and territorial move for Black in this position.
• The high extension favors influence. It has some potential invasion points, and it can difficult for Black to retain the corner territory after playing here. Classically, Black would aim to develop a fast framework on the side by investing an additional side extension, but this sequence would end in gote.
• The large knight extension places additional emphasis on the side of the board at the expense of the corner. It is a historical joseki that is infrequently played by modern go professionals, and it invites White to jump into the 3-3 point, trading territory for influence.

Tenuki

See main article: 4-4 point low approach, tenuki

Modern go emphasizes territory and sente, so the small knight extension and tenuki are the most popular choices among professionals and strong AI programs.

Strong AI programs often opt to approach or enclose an open 3-4 point or perform a 3-3 invasion instead of answering a 4-4 point approach, as these moves are slightly bigger than defending a star point approach. In exchange, the player must be willing to take a double approach, fight, and handle a potentially complicated situation.

See also:

• Leela Zero's opening gospel

Pincers

Pincers
One-Space Low Pincer (~22%)[1]	Two-Space High Pincer (~9%)[1]	Two-Space Low Pincer (~3%)[1]
One-Space High Pincer (~3%)[1]	Three-Space High Pincer (~2%)[1]	Three-Space Low Pincer (~1%)[1]

Pincers are typically played when a player wishes to develop a position along the upper side or deny their opponent from establishing a position on the side. In exchange, the corner is left often, and White may opt to invade the 3-3 point or approach from the opposite side.

• The one-space low pincer is the most popular star point pincer, and it emphasizes side territory. If white chooses to jump into the 3-3 point, this narrow pincer is most effective at neutralizing the aji of the approach stone. However, White has methods to overconcentrate Black.
• The two-space high pincer is the second most common star point pincer, and it is typically played to develop or disrupt a large moyo, often in conjunction with the overall board position. This pincer is less restrictive on the approach stone, leaves aji, and is often intended for influence and flexible play rather than side territory.
• The two-space low pincer is mainly played when Black has a promising position on the upper side and the left side is small.
• The one-space high pincer is a severe and fierce pincer that demands a response and could result in a fight.
• The three-space pincers are very loose, uncommon, and mainly played to develop or disrupt a large moyo. It neither supports the 4-4 stone very well nor applies much pressure on the approach stone. The local result is comparable to a tenuki, but it is still playable, as strong AI programs consider tenuki to be a valid response to the corner approach.

Kick

See main page: 4-4 point diagonal attachment joseki

Kosumi-tsuke (diagonal attachment)  

The 4-4 point kick joseki is a well-known joseki that classically appears in handicap games, and it is often an early joseki that beginners learn. Despite its apparent simplicity, is has significant weaknesses for Black (a-d) and traditional dogma before the AI era was that this joseki was bad for Black unless an additional Black pincer stone is already present at the marked square.

The AI revolution has challenged this dogma, and the kick is well-regarded by the strong AI programs in many situations (B+0.2 ^[2]) even without a pincer stone. Since 2016, the kick joseki now sees widespread use in professional play (~7% ^[1]).

The kick joseki is greedy and sente, and forces a response from White. Black insists on taking as much of the corner as possible, but leaves many weaknesses (aji) behind in the process. It is difficult for Black to efficiently fix those weaknesses in sente, and White will often have an opportunity to invade later in the game.

See also:

• 4-4 Point Kick Joseki
• 4-4 Point Kick Joseki (with pincer)
• Joseki as a source of bad habits
• Diagonal attachment - as inferior shape

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Attachment

See main article: 4-4 point low approach attach

A Few Well-Known Attachment Joseki (not a comprehensive list)
Tsukenobi Push	Tsukenobi Attach	Tsukenobi Diagonal
Tsukeosae Atari	Attach Extend	Attach Wedge

Attaching on top of the approach stone is a situational move that has evolved extensively over the centuries, and its popularity has waxed and waned from era to era (~2%) ^[1]. There are many traditional and AI variations, and several joseki involve cutting points, cross-cuts, tesuji, or potential ladders.

Professionals often say that the attachment is not the best joseki for Black on an empty board (B-0.2) ^[2], and it is almost never played as one of the first opening moves. Nonetheless, the attachment is a very popular move among amateurs, and it is commonly seen in amateur games. Ever since the AI revolution, the attachment has been appearing more in professional play.

The attachment can be viewed as a situational move that is effective at enlarging the left/central side moyo while taking the corner and flattening the side. Certain variations may involve trick plays or overconcentration, so it is common in handicap games. One major limitation of this joseki is that White typically gains a strong position as a result of the joseki, whereas Black is left with potential cutting points and significant aji. If Black invests a move to protect their weaknesses or place an extension, many variations of this joseki end in gote for Black.

Other Responses

Unusual Responses
Footsweep (~3%)[1]	Takamiya's Diagonal (<1%)[1]	Knight's Move Cap (<1%)[1]	Shoulder Hit (<1%)[1]

These moves are atypical responses, but have seen play in professional games in special situations or as a form of special strategy.

• The footsweep aims to block off the corner while simultaneously undercutting White's potential base. Most variations involve fighting.
• The 5-5 diagonal was developed by Takemiya Masaki, who is known for influential and cosmic style of play.
• The knight's move cap is mainly played to develop a moyo.
• The shoulder hit is a historical trick play also known as the "Drooping Lotus".

Discussion

When and where to pincer?

See also:

• Joseki Choice
• Extend or Pincer
• High vs Low Pincer
• Preferring to pincer
• Combine a pincer with an extension

Is the kick joseki bad?

See main page: 4-4 Point Low Approach, Kick

Immediate continuation of kick joseki  

Historically, the kick joseki was viewed as "not joseki" unless a pincer stone was already present, and usage of the kick would be criticized by go teachers. It was primarily considered a handicap joseki for beginners, since White's position is settled with an "ideal" extension whereas Black's corner is weak. Ever since the 2016 AI revolution, the kick joseki has risen considerably in popularity among professionals because strong AI programs like AlphaGo evaluate the joseki favorably.

The kick joseki has significant weaknesses and potential invasion points, and the corner territory is not secure. It can be viewed as a greedy, and it has a potential chance (not guaranteed) to claim more territory than other joseki that divide the corner between both players. Modern strong AI programs favor corner territory and sente, which could explain why AI programs view the kick joseki more favorably. The kick is a forcing move that generally demands a response, whereas the small knight extension is not necessarily sente, and the opponent may choose to tenuki. The AI revolution has reaffirmed notions that the corner is most valuable (see: "Corners, then sides, then center" and "Corner is gold, side is silver, center is grass"), and the capacity to efficiently develop territory in the corner without spending many moves is well-regarded by AI programs. By corollary, AI attaches less value to the sides than traditional human players.

One interesting thing of note is that many AI programs consider an immediate invasion at to be a reasonable (sometimes even the best) move right after the classic joseki. A common AI sequence that might arise is depicted, and the stone eliminates much of the danger of a 3-3 invasion.

AI programs and professionals strongly value sente, so Black may not opt to play this gote continuation immediately. However, it is worthwhile to note that AI programs view this immediate territorial continuation to be nearly equivalent in value with tenuki and AI's favorite 3-3 invasion of undefended corners in the opening of a game. Move (and White's potential 3-3 invasion) are hence both very big moves.

See also:

• Reddit: What changed the way we think about 4-4 kick and tsukenobi (attach-extend) joseki? (2021)

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Is the attach joseki bad?

See main page: 4-4 Point Low Approach, Attach

Popular Attach-Block Joseki Variant  

Classical go didactics dictated that contact play is often bad technique because it strengthens one's opponent. The attachment move was often criticized by go teachers as vulgar, and it was primarily seen more with beginners and amateurs. The Attach-Block Joseki was historically viewed as the "worst possible sequence" for Black due to the empty triangle until Lee Changho (9p) popularized the move in the 1990s.

The attachment joseki has always been viewed as a situational move that is best played when whole board position is suitable for Black, particularly when Black has potential to the left side. In the book Fuseki Revolution (2021), Shibano Toramaru says the attachment as a good way to develop the side in the sanrensei fuseki, and he recommends it over the traditional one-space low pincer.

Nonetheless, beginners and amateurs often use the attachment joseki to secure corner territory. Several popular variations of the attach joseki result in a strong and large corner for Black such as the depicted Attach-Block Joseki, which has nearly 23 points of solid corner territory with no aji in gote. Critically, these sequences end in gote for Black, and White has a high position with very effective side-facing influence (compare with the kick joseki where white has center-facing influence).

Modern go emphasizes and places a high value on sente. Players should assess for themselves what they believe is the value of sente at their level when determining which joseki to play, because sente grows increasingly more valuable as players improve at go. Is a 20-point gote joseki worth the value of a 10-point sente joseki? The answer can be subjective, and the differences between joseki can be very subtle (many have AI win rates that differ by less than a point), especially with the many variations branching from the attachment joseki. It is difficult to call any particular attachment joseki definitively “bad”, and the attachment joseki are very sensitive to the global board position.

See also:

• Lifein19x19 Forum: Attach extend joseki (2019)

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See Also

• 4-4 point low approach after wedge
• 4-4 point low approach statistics
• Joseki and tenuki

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References

• [1] Frequency statistics were obtained from Waltheri's Go Pattern Search using the full database restrained to a local search (accessed August 2021). Due to the weighting of older games in the database, the 3-3 invasion appears to be less frequent than it actually is in recent years. With the search restricted to contemporary/post-AI games, 20-30% of 4-4 approaches are 3-3 invasions.
• [2] AI score estimates were obtained from katrain (v1.9.3) using a Nirensei board with two star points occupied by each player and a single inside low approach (note: this is the direction that favors a pincer). AI score estimates can vary widely depending on the board position and software version, and should be taken with a grain of salt. Notably, the point values of many joseki on this page differ by less than a one point, indicating that many of the listed joseki are indeed playable at all levels.