Aji Example 2

Bad aji for Black  

The exchange of for , then , leaves Black with a position which has bad aji with respect to the corner territory and the side.

If White later approaches from a, Black would maybe like to attack from the direction of b, but he cannot, since a white play at c makes it difficult for Black to get anything in the corner. If Black defends against White a in the corner, White can settle with b and later erode the corner from her stone at . For this particular example, see also do not defend territories open on two sides.

--MortenPahle

Bill Spight: As I understand the term, aji has to do with flaws left behind in an established position. Perhaps a good translation is "aftertaste". Here Black's base doesn't really have defects. If Black does not extend along the left side, White can attack the two stones. I would not use aji to refer to this situation.

Good development for Black  

After the last diagram, it is not bad for Black to play tsuke at , at which White must answer at . This gives a slightly overconcentrated position for White, since she would have preferred be at a now, but she mustn't be dissatisfied.

After this exchange, Black can best extend to , in order to turn the upper left into a moyo that is almost territory.

Charles Actually is questionable here, if the centre matters in the game.

togo: There indeed is a problem with the assumption about White's answer: White could answer at c instead of (and Black would have to answer that) or tenuki. Both would make gote and in itself does not gain much. Further into the play it could force White to decide between base and corner aspects; right now even corner invasion is still possible.

White exploits the aji  

Black can also leave the position as it is, and play elsewhere. White can attack with , and Black escapes into the center with .
Without the exchange of Black a for White b, has more effect on the white stones at the top.