Does the exchange of for help black in any way? It doesn't seem to add aji against white; it doesn't get black ahead in the race across the top; it doesn't increase black's influence along the left; it doesn't help seal white in. It does, however forfeit a potential small ko threat.
These Black moves also erase a potential future Black tactic (aji keshi). If Black has a position in the upper right corner then in the following diagram might be effective:
The move might be sente because of the through sequence However, if Black pushes in earlier probably won't be sente.
![[Welcome to Sensei's Library!]](images/stone-hello.png "Sensei's Library")
![[Diagram]](diagrams/52/b935630d08973e91313925e55ffe3012.png)
![[Diagram]](diagrams/15/5f98d55d779a2820232c960bdcee072e.png)
for 
help black in any way? It doesn't seem to add aji against white; it doesn't get black ahead in the race across the top; it doesn't increase black's influence along the left; it doesn't help seal white in. It does, however forfeit a potential small ko threat.
![[Diagram]](diagrams/26/d33d218e0029970e714f22f02d7b55a0.png)
through 
sequence However, if Black pushes in earlier