BQM106

The top is not developable for Black  

From a recent game of mine, the top is not large, not developable, for Black. Black played at in response to the White invasion . Black should have played at a. The right side was important (prevent growth from the two White stones in the bottom right). Black was already strong enough on the top.

The question: What are the characteristics of a developable side?

Bill: Please show the whole board. Why do you say that Ba was correct? Why do you say that the top is not developable? Black can start with Bb - Wc, for instance, to develop it.

Velobici: Bill, the full board is now shown. I was told by a professional that the top is not developeable, that the right side is important. That Black should have played at a in place of .

Bill: Thanks for showing the whole board. :-) I can see the value of Ba.

As for the top, I would not have used the word, "undevelopable". I would have said, "non-urgent." I'm not sure what the pro meant. <shrug>

BobMcGuigan: In a game commentary once Mr. Yang Yilun said that Black's position in the upper left is "defensive" and that it is hard to develop effectively from a defensive position. Don't know if that helps. I think it's like Black's position on the lower right in the diagram below, resulting from the tsuke-hiki joseki. Pros also say it is difficult to develop from that position, too.

unkx80: While I am unable to answer the question with respect to the given position, a general answer is that a developable side is usually shaped like a box, while an undevelopable side is flat - stones are mostly on the third line.

Black's side can be developed further.  

Difficult for black's side to be developed further  

Incidentally, this example also illustrates a likely wrong choice of joseki.