BQM 383

    Keywords: Opening, Question

Tapir: Hello, I quite often see a double approach, distant and near low approach and don't feel comfortable then... (because I can't read anything about it at Senseis :))

[Diagram]
Example  

SL advises a play at a; b or c. However this didn't occur to me. I like d or e more. Because of this I suffered a double approach in the upper right corner later...

[Diagram]
Double approach  

I tried a and b but didn't like the result so much. I found some pro games where the players exchanged B1 for W2 with Black later pushing once on the right or playing a shoulder hit to the marked approach stone.

I have an idea about a and b not being good. But I'm short of a convincing explanation. So... your turn.

Why is a bad?

A try: a leans on the marked white stone to strengthen itself, but since the white group on the right is strong - or at least stronger than the single white stone on the top - doesn't accomplish much. Leaning on the right with 1 first, and possibly a push strengthens enough to put pressure on the marked white stone later - e.g. with a shoulder hit.

Why is b bad?

b gives white a result similar to a double low approach with both stones near, but without the weakness of a 3-space extension on the right, so maybe called submissive.


Bob McGuigan: In the Example diagram:

[Diagram]
Example  



Black a is recommended because it squeezes the two white stones on the right side and defends corner territory in the upper right. Black c is recommended because it inhibits White's slide into the corner, as in the following diagram:

[Diagram]
Example  



If White slides in with W5, B6 gives Black a bigger corner territory than if Black had played a simple knight's move. This usually doesn't appeal to White. If White invades at the 3-3 point after B4, Black ends up with powerful thickness which does not bode well for the white stones on the right side. I don't know about a Black move at b in the example diagram, a two-space jump from the corner starpoint stone. That two-space jump is rather thin and is usually played to work with a Black moyo which doesn't exist in this position, so it doesn't appeal to me. As for approaching the upper left or lower left white starpoint stones, I suppose those moves are playable, but they seem to invite a more complicated game than the moves in the upper right.


[Diagram]
Gobase search  

A search on gobase gives 32 results for this position. Next,

  • a, making a base for the black stone occurs 20 times and in 18/20 times, White answers with f, which simultaneously enlarges and diminishes the base. Next, both groups being relatively stable, Black turns to a big point at the left, top or bottom
  • b simultaneously making and challenging each one's base, occurs 8 times and in all 8 cases White answers at a, which counters the challenge(*)
  • c, d and e which deal with the top right corner in an indirect and therefor less clear way, occur only once (d, e) or twice (c).

The database search supports the idea that the white stones and the black stone at the top right are engaged in a challenge for mutual stability and ensuring and/or preventing this stability is common sense. Dieter

Tapir: I have to admit that I'm absolutely clueless how to continue after the exchange of b for a. Another kosumi [1] looks bad to me, a pincer makes the first kosumi look bad...

[Diagram]
Gobase largest path  

After W4, B5 takes the corner and White gains influence at the bottom, which remains hot for another ten moves.

[Diagram]
Gobase largest path  

With B5, Black immediately challenges White's influence here and a battle starts. The game is James Kerwin against He Xiaoren, from 1995.

Incidentally, I fully agree with the comment by Bob that the added value of Black's large knight's move (marked) lies in the better balance of a later.

[Diagram]
More on W4 and B5  

If White perfects her position into a thick one with W4, B5 takes an ideal point, making a small double wing formation. The bottom is so hot because B3 and black+circle make any extension or approach of the top left corner equally (and not so) valuable. I believe this would be too easy for Black, which is why White chose a more aggressive fashion with W4 Dieter


[1]

[Diagram]
Double kosumi  

Dieter: Yet Black usually defends with another diagonal. White makes another two space extension yielding the initiative back to Black, who moves to another part of the board. Me too I esthaetically dislike the double kosumi, but you can't deny it accomplishes stability in the corner.

Tapir: No, I can't deny it. I may overestimate the 2 space extension on the right side. In size of actual territory as well as in stability. And thus underestimate the black corner.

BobWhoosta: Perhaps the value in the second kosumi lies not in territorial balance, but in the difficulty white currently has to invade at a. In other words, it's a power move. Because of his weak two space extension, he must view that area as strong because he is weak, leaving black a clear path to expand on the bottom without fear that he will be cut into from the right side. Also, sente is obviously nice. White is clearly getting a little better result in the top right, so to me these two factors represent the compensation that black receives.

Tapir (now KGS 2dan): Welcome on board! I am now easily five stones stronger than when I asked this question some years ago :) And I really learned to appreciate stable positions in the meantime. Leaving groups standing half-dead around worked earlier, now the opponents push harder, and I push harder and left behind weaknesses became more and more costly to both sides. So, while I think your comment is in the right direction, I believe White has no time to think about attack (even, if it is "I can't invade right now") but has to think hardly about defending this group. Or put otherwise, even a calm move like b is now a double purpose move, making territory while attacking White. Ah, I have another idea... but I like to put this in a new BQM.

[Diagram]
Double kosumi  

AN alternative in the games is this leaning maneuvre. Black goes for central influence here. If you do not like all these variations, there is the simple and common large knight's move, discussed earlier. I would choose it in my games. --Dieter

Tapir: Thank you all, I appreciate the comments (and play the large knight's move next time)... I would be glad however if someone could comment on my question on the double approach and my kyu-scholarship to guess the best next move.

xela: I see you've added some text near the top of this page ("Why is a bad?"...) What you're written there makes good sense to me--it looks like you've answered your own question!


BQM 383 last edited by igoalone on October 26, 2011 - 03:23
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