Dodge

When White plays , it is part of natural good feeling for the game to invade the corner with . If Black can live this way, it isn't necessary to fight on the outside too.

Dropping back

is considered correct here (Black a is the play from old Chinese games, used recently by Yamashita Keigo). But what if White tries to cut?

In most positions is perfectly adequate, dropping back rather than defending at and allowing White to cut at . The damage to makes up for the weakening of the stones. (See easy way out of a double kakari.)

See also the dropping back page.

Other examples:

• Cut the diagonal jump
• Counter-atari
• Counter-pincer

Further aspects of dodging are the whole topics of sabaki and flexible play.

Charles Matthews