Avalanche

Avalanche joseki  

The avalanche or nadare is one of the most famous corner joseki. It arises from 3-4 point, high approach, inside contact. The diagram position leads to the avalanche patterns. The name refers to the shape resembling an avalanche (see diagram upside down).

This corner joseki used to be considered to give equal results for both players (despite the hane at the head of White's stones). However, AI analysis (as of October 2018) seems to indicate that the position is generally unfavorable for White.

Of the several variants, the large avalanche is the most famous for its complexity. This variation has many subvariations that can grow to cover over a third of the board. The other variants typically end up with White getting outside influence. With the exception of small avalanche, the influence will face towards the right side, and White will end up in gote. Therefore, the avalanche is usually played when White has a position at the upper-right corner (e.g., a White stone at the 4-4 point), and is not played when Black has a stone at the top-middle star point.

Variations  

• a leads to the Small avalanche
• b is the Large avalanche
• c and d are more peaceful replies

Large avalanche  

The large avalanche joseki begins with the hane at . It starts a number of complicated variations. See large avalanche for these. If either player wants to avoid these complications, White can play at a or play tenuki (move elsewhere) with , or Black can play at a or b with . These are described in large avalanche simple variations.

Small avalanche  

With , Black starts the small avalanche. See small avalanche for the continuations.

A simple variation  

is advisable for those players who are not comfortable with their knowledge of the avalanche joseki. Black steers the joseki to a simple variation without giving in in any way - the result is equal. See avalanche - connection.

Double hane  

The next variant of the avalanche is when Black plays the double hane of in this diagram. Traditionally, the answer to this move has been a, after which usually Black will try to get influence down the left side, but nowadays the white extension at b is gaining popularity. For the double hane variation, see avalanche - double hane.

Descent  

is similar to black a in that it is peaceful and takes territory. For this variation, see avalanche - descent.

Mistake  

here would be a mistake. After , White has no good move.

Nadare Joseki

Nadare  

• at 9: Ten Kyu Nadare
• at 6: Ten Kyu Almost Nadare
• this variation ( here): Large Avalanche
  • Large avalanche - jump in
  • Large Avalanche Turn Outward
    • Large Avalanche Turn Outward Problem
  • Large Avalanche Turn Inward
• at 9: Avalanche - connection, Avalanche - connection, tenuki variations
• at 7: Small Nadare
• at a: Avalanche - double hane
• at 10: Avalanche - descent
• tenuki: BQM92
• Any variation for or : Large Avalanche Simple Variations

Small Avalanche Joseki  

or here