Cut-Threat Clamp

Cut Threat Clamp 1  

wants to separate black, and damage black's side territory.

What would you do here?

Cut Threat Clamp 1  

is a clamp, and threatens a cut at a, so we can call it a Cut Threat Clamp.

Cut Threat Clamp 1 continued  

If white descends at , then is a cut, made strong by a hanging connection

Cut Threat Clamp 1 failure  

If black plays a weak move at , then white will get to break into black's territory.

Cut Threat Clamp 2 failure  

Cutting right away would result in a difficult fight.