BQM188

from a 3 stone handicap (free placement)  

In a 3 stone handicap game (Black had free placement and chose three 34 points) White decided to make a deep invasion, probably feeling that he is the stronger player, and he needs to catch up.

How should black react?

Chris Hayashida: I know this isn't answering the question, but I wanted to point out that the black extension might have be a little weak.

If Black extended first, after White plays the checking extension, I feel that Black needs another move to protect. Black also has the option of extending to a right away, since it threatens to slide into White's corner.

If the black stone was a checking extension (i.e., White extended first) then I feel that the black stone is playing too close to thickness, so I think it "deserves" to be attacked by .

Probe  

Bill: The problem with both running out is that White is stronger on the left than Black is on the right. will have an easier time of it than . Besides, White can always play at a. Sacrificing with B b comes to mind, but seems too pessimistic.

My inclination is to probe with , possibly sacrificing it to strengthen , or sacrificing to live in White's corner.

Maere: I do not think b is too pessimistic. It looks like the right direction, consistent with the black moyo on the right. Isn't the influence gained well worth the loss of ?

Boshi  

Bill: Here is another thought: the boshi, . If now and , looks good. If White plays to the right, instead, Black can play into the center (, for instance) freely, satisfied at having prevented .

Boshi, var. 2  

Bill: Thanks, bud1027, for your criticism below. :-) Mindful of the fact that this is a 3-stone game, in the Boshi diagram I was trying to give an OK sequence that is easy to understand. My first suggestion, Probe, is not so easy to understand. ;-)

In the Boshi diagram, is bad, I think. Black can cut at . was an overplay.

In this diagram, is better. Your criticism still holds, because of the weakness of .

Boshi, var. 3  

bud1027 Um...O.K.

By the way, how about attachment move ...?

I think, instead of in above diagram, to attach like in below diagram might produce a slightly better result.

In below diagram, is more far by one-line from white's strong two stones(,) than in above diagram.

Obviously, this is more desirable shape for Black.

Bye@@@.

Bill: The fact that Black can play , even after , shows the power of the move. Thanks. :-)

Hane on the right  

Bill: However, this hane, , may be better.

aLegendWai: But will the B group underneath die?

Bill: Not with the threats against and and .

from a 3 stone handicap (free placement)  

unkx80: The first moves that comes to my mind are to . Is this too passive for Black?

Andy: I would also appreciate some comments on this sequence.

from a 3 stone handicap (free placement)  

This result is most common and normal variation after your moves. ( of course, this is NOT the only variation expected. just one of variation, but this is a normal and common result)

Let's look at this closely.

1. White is jumping into center lightly and easily. black can never hope any effective attack on them.

2. White's moves - from to - are naturally reducing black's right-side moyo. On the contrary, black stones - ~- dont put any serious threat on white's left-bottom corner.

In conclusion, black is losing more than his gaining.

This is my thought.

Bye@@@

aLegendWai: I wonder if it is a wishful thinking. At least B should try to cap in the meantime when W escapes. So this will give pressure to both the upper W stone and the escaping group. (NB: Although the sandwiched B group will be under pressure too. It still has escape route). That's my little idea.

Any idea is welcome. :)

from a 3 stone handicap (free placement)  

I don't think 1 is that important, surely the stone is ajisome enough to demand a tenuki and an attack on the biggest area left?

game sequence  

Klaus: I tried to understand the comments on this page. Thanks for all the interesting stuff!! Actually I liked the probe suggestion best, I always tend to miss moves like this.

Maybe Chris Hayashida's suggestion was the most important: black is weaker than white, locally, so he shouldn't expect too much from this fight. Here I what I tried in the game, maybe it is just pushing white in the wrong direction, and maybe it is an overplay anyway. (the game is still running, so I can't present the rest of the moves, because I don't want to discuss a position which has a direct effect on my moves.)