Cross-cut then extend

The proverb cross-cut then extend (or the first to extend from a crosscut has the advantage) is somewhat misleading. There has been a lot of criticism that can be read at the /Technical Discussion page. A way to interpret the proverb is to reduce it to a not so common situation:

When there are no other stones nearby, extending from the crosscut gives the advantage

Some diagrams to explain.

Isolated crosscut  

An isolated cross-cut. Black to play.

Atari and connect  

It is tempting to play atari. Then connecting at is a good idea. However, this strengthens White and weakens the lone Black stone. A ladder at a may be possible.

Extend  

After the more defensive-looking extension it is White's turn. However, White has to make a choice of which stone to strengthen. This is in fact an application of the 1-2-3 principle: if you are going to strengthen at in the previous diagram, why not do it at once as in this diagram.

this part has been added recently and urges review

Atari then nose tesuji.  

Playing atari and setting up for a nose tesuji may be playable though.

See also

• Cut
• A thorough treatise can be read in Richard Hunter's Cross-Cut Workshop
• Haengma tutorial for beginners/Cross-cut position
• /Technical Discussion
• Crosscut? Extend! wording discussion
• Crosscut - Reasons to atari
• Atari from crosscut

Bill: Right now this page seems too sparse. How much help is it to someone who does not already know the proverb? (I am commenting here because I expect to delete this note later. :))