4-4 point low approach low extension, standard joseki, pushing in the centre

Standard joseki: follow-up  

This page discusses the use of here in various positions arising from the 4-4 point low approach low extension, slide, 3-3. There may be white stones added at the marked points.

Easy for Black  

If White reacts with , she has no shape problems here; but on the other hand Black can consider as kikashi. No further local play by Black may be required.

Beginnings of a pushing battle  

If White resists more strongly with here, this looks like the start of a pushing battle: that is, White is contesting Black's right to develop influence in the centre.

Black's ideas here are a (attach-extend) and b (attach-block). Black should have decided a plan in advance, depending on any nearby white stones.

White should submit  

For example, if White has already played , here is the only sensible reply to . Therefore is available to Black; and now Black has options to fight at c or develop further influence at d. (Playing atari and connect starting at c makes sense here but if Black wants to play at d it is better style not to play atari first, leaving to annoy White. This is another example for One-Two-Three.)

A different case  

If however the white stone at is present, the attach-block idea by Black fails to attack it strongly. In fact White may find it natural to sacrifice this way, taking outside strength. The difference from the previous diagram is that it is unacceptable to White to play this way if it means the loss without compensation of a second stone at p.

Attach-extend  

If Black is playing for influence here, it is natural in fact for Black to play attach-extend first and aim at the important play at a (it is a bulge point, a key to good shape here).

Continuation  

After and , White will probably feel like making a move such as (or b) to ensure some shape for this group. That means that Black has 'won' a short pushing battle here: Black has gained power and White hasn't ultimately been able to compete. Of course evaluating this result is another question.

Reference positions

Immediate influence  

With played rather than the low extension, Black's access to the centre is much better. Black doesn't need to play simply to build up a central framework, though: jumping directly to one of the marked points may be possible.

Retreating  

Probably strong players don't spend too much time considering plays like here; which may sometimes work in endgame terms, but which are lacking both in terms of shape and in fighting spirit.

Charles Matthews