BQM123

Below are some diagrams and explanations copied from 44PointLowApproachTwoSpaceHighPincerWithSideStone, followed by a question about follow-up play. --SnotNose

Invasion  

The usual way for White to play is the immediate 3-3 invasion. is indicated here, because of . may be at a, b or c. At c is often seen in the West because of an 'old information' effect: the pros have hardly played this since 1975, but it's still in the books in English.

Current thinking  

This is the modern line. at a instead is bad.

SnotNose: I've been avoiding this modern line only because I'm not sure what to do with . In the older variation (refered to above) I know a bit more about the aji, because I find discussion of it in books.

I've seen it said that moving out immediately with in this modern version is "severe". I assume this means making a diagonal move^[1], in which case there will be a great chase and fight. Is it so clear that White can do enough in this fight to make up for helping black with his moyo? I'm nervous about it. Can anyone illustrate with some typical follow-up moves? Has this appeared in anyone's game that they care to show? Pro game is okay too. Does anyone like to play this (as White) and, if so, why?

HolIgor: There is a proverb that strong players play straight and weak players play diagonals. Not to take it literally but I'd prefer a straight move. Black has a small moyo on the left. On the right Black has two weak stones on the fourth line with an open skirt. White has to attack those two stones and as Black is busy defending them, the moyo would be erased. White can die as well; as in yesterday's game between Cho U and O Meien.

Yesterday's game? please add the date and the tournament information so that we will be able to find the game in another 3 weeks.

Fhayashi Perhaps October 30, 2003 - as HolIgors edit was on Oct. 31st.

Pulling out  

Black has some weak points on both sides. I think I'd try it one of these days.

SnotNose: Fascinating! If ever I get the courage to try this, I will not play diagonally but follow the preceding diagram. Still, I'd feel better with a few larger examples as models. I'll keep an eye out in pro games (not having access to GoBase (long story, and not interesting either), I can't do a search--but I do review pro games and this is bound to come up eventually). Thanks to contributors!

DJ: I have two questions here.
One is, IMVVVHO (a lowly 2k opinion...) setting the white stone in motion right away, without waiting to see how the surrounding positions evolve, seems a bit reckless to me, I would leave it there for the time being as aji. Could you quote the source that said : "moving out immediately with in this modern version is severe"?

SnotNose: See ThePowerOfTheStarPoint. No further discussion followed this comment, however. Hence, my BQM. (I'm going to double check tonight that the word "immediately" was used or implied. But that was my recollection. Had it implied moving out "at some point later after conditions were right" I might not have been so puzzled. Needless to say, since there was no further comment, it leaves an awful lot to the imagination.)

SnotNose: I checked the text of ThePowerOfTheStarPoint and "immediately" is the word used. Moreover, it is written that the prospect of White moving out immediately is "ominous" for Black. Sort of makes it sound like any other move would be slack. Anyway, for the sake of discussion, suppose we assume that the board is as follows.

White to play  

DJ: Second, If I want to attack the two marked black stones, I'd rather push downward, following a famous proverb, as in the diagram below. In HolIgor diagram above the white stones have reinforced the "attacked" black stones and float in a sea of black more than ever...
Am I wrong?

Pulling out, but in the other direction  

Charles I don't see how you can possibly discuss this question in local terms.

DJ: That's exactly my point, I wouldn't know what to do with that stone without knowing what is around it.

This is the reason why "immediately" sounded irksome to me...

Pulling out, but in the other direction  

unkx80: Besides that, how would you answer ?

DJ: Bearing in mind Charles' and my comment just above, probably as in the diagram below (doesn't a look like a useful cutting point?). It still seems better to me than HolIgor proposal above...

Pulling out, blindfolded  

[1] Don't. Charles