Cutting the one-point jump

Cutting a one-point jump  

The diagram shows what happens if White cuts the one-point jump in absence of supporting stones. (Black can of course play at ). threatens a ladder at a, but Black may well play differently depending on the board. In general, White will struggle to keep both + and alive.

This is why, in general^[1], don't try to cut the one-point jump.

Safe one-point jump  

Here, the one-point jump is reinforced by , and can no longer be cut. (after the sequence a - d White cannot cut)

--MortenPahle

See also the lion shape.