Orthodox Fuseki - Improper Wedge

Diagram 1  

It is generally accepted that is misplaced, however opinions on the severity of the error differ. In any case in this diagram feels ideal, and the follow up at 4 or a would make a very large framework. So White 1 is recommended at b, so that Black can only extend to c.

Diagram 2  

In the second diagram became a inducing move leading to and while white looks cramped here. Imagine black at a later. (Taken from BlockOnTheWiderSide#1)

Diagram 3  

Let us assume white approached the corner first. , , , all these moves are acceptable. But the exchange of for favors black, white would more likely have played at a (which may be answered by black at b). See here.

Takemiya - Yuki Satoshi 56th NHK Cup Final  

There was no discussion of the choice of wedge in the commentary (by Otake Hideo) or in the post-game discussion. The comment on in the diagram was that it was natural to play here instead of making san-ren-sei on the left side due the black framework on the right.

John F. Wow! Of 894 examples of the first five moves in the GoGoD database, I expected some at least to show this "improper" wedge as the follow-up, but there is not a single example! I'm half thinking that Takemiya might have misplaced his stone. That said, there are in total 13 possible continuations that White has tried, though the "proper" wedge was played in 683 games, so that's the one to stick with.

The other improper wedge  

Andy: Can someone run a GoGoD search on this version of the improper wedge (or link to page on Sensei's if it already exists). I see this a lot by white at the kyu level trying to cheat black into an overly cramped formation at a, and not worrying too much about giving black too much on the other side.

Bill: Aside from discouraging Black from extending from his enclosure, this rather proper wedge threatens an extension to b, which then threatens to continue at c. :) See Eccentric Wedges.

tapir: See OrthodoxFusekiAlternativeWedge