A staircase joseki  

here, giving an example of the staircase shape, is one of the most surprising joseki plays. It is seen also when is played at a.

Table of contents Pro Play A New Variation Ladder

Table of diagrams A staircase joseki From pro play Continuation Alternative Another joseki Avoiding tricks New variation The ladder I guess ... One continuation One continuation (corrected from above) This is the ladder ? Another variation

From pro play  

There are many possible lines in the books, but in this case a standard continuation seems to be current, as shown here. is to avoid being shut in. In this case playing atari in the staircase formation turns out better for Black than connecting solidly at 4.

Continuation  

After , Black develops on both sides and White looks overconcentrated while the corner is still open and there are no definite two eyes yet.

Alternative  

If , will surround and sacrifice for central and side influence.

Avoiding tricks  

With on the fourth line, there are some trick plays possible if Black connects. Top players have continued as shown with Black, playing for central influence.

Charles Matthews (with some edits by emeraldemon)

New variation  

is the new move. Comments here: http://gogameguru.com/commentary-xie-he-lee-sedol-8th-chunlan-cup/

The ladder  

SnotNose Let's be explicit. Black to play. Where is the ladder?

Charles:

I guess ...  

Han Hi Charles, if the ladder starting with does not work for white, white can play as shown in the first diagram from krit below

SnotNose

One continuation  

Black needs another protective play in the corner. White might sneak a ladder break in at some point along the way before black can play a, b, or c. The corner is large for Black and White has played somewhat inconsistently, first diving into the corner and then sacrificing a lot to get a wall on the outside. White's outside wall is not so thick, along with a black play at c might give white some things to worry about later.

One continuation (corrected from above)  

krit I believe white plays at 1 first, then black 2 white 3 then black can choose between a or b.

This is the ladder ?  

so IMHO if White still insists on having the corner, by playing 1 in place of in the previous diagram, Black can cut at 2. If ladder is good for White, the Black cut of is not possible; White gets both outside and corner which is very good. When the ladder is not good for White, white is split into two groups in the centre. Are marked Black stones in danger? I think not if one of the White groups is captured first so both sides need to be careful in the fight. Maybe a stronger player would like to comment on my variation.

Another variation  

Han Hi krit, I am not a stronger player but I would like to comment on your first diagram by giving this variation where black plays to the right of . connects, at a.