BQM161

wedge - two variations  

kokiri - I've been experimenting with this formation recently. Usually white approaches the bottom corner and I've seen the wedge criticised because it lets black get two enclosures.

When white plays at though, what should black do?

(left) My idea is to play on the left with the expectation the if white plays the natural extension, I can enclose the other corner with a pretty strong attack, . Alternatives for such as a seem awkward for white too.

(right) A comment that a stronger player made though was that the correct direction is on the right, making the loose enclosure in sente. However i would anticipate extending across the bottom which leaves white able to play along the top, devaluing the top enclosure.

Maybe this question is a bit esoteric, what thoughts on the correct direction do people have?

Hanging connection  

k: well, actually my birthday's new year's eve, so it would be a little unreasonable for it to be xmas as well ;-) In practice, in my games the left hand diagram is quite common. I'd be quite happy to see the low approach in response to my extension. in reply to the high approach, I have played and liked the outside attachment. if white blindly plays joseki, this looks makes look out of place to me

Bill: So don't play joseki blindly. ;-)

Solid connection  

For instance, how about a solid connection?

Bob McGuigan: I've seen the wedge move played by top pros so I don't think it can be condemned out of hand. I'd like to know what is happening in the other, presumably White, corners, too. However, the left hand pattern seems to put more pressure on White ( is sente?), and the larger potential for development of the top left enclosure might be worth more than the loose enclosure in the lower right.

wedges - two actual variations :-)  

Dave Careful lads! I was not able to find any examples of the wedge under the star point shown above in the databases. Splitting the side under the star point is only usual when the lower right Black stone in on the star point there. When Black has played on the 3-4 point, splitting the side as shown on the right here has been played a number of times although it is much less common than an approach move in the lower right. The usual response is to close the corner with as was explained by Charles earlier on this page.

The other asymmetrical choice at shown on the left side here is very rare. There are not enough examples to say there is a usual answer. However, plays such as and a have been used.

Bob: The splitting play Dave shows on the right is what I remember seeing in pro games.