Forum for Wedge - Capping Play
wedge capping play, ignore the proverb? [#538]
We often think of answering a capping play with a developing knight move, but is it too thin in a wedge situation?
![[Diagram]](diagrams/19/f920816cc2d83ddb427c0a0c693bf7d5.png)
The example on the page shows a normal two-space extension. Black a does not seem like a great move, poor development of the hoshi stone and likely only inducing white b anyway. But if black takes b then white a is a great tent formation and approach. Why take the two-space extension instead of the knight move here? Or is the diagram on the page not intended to be indicative of the expected response?
Oh, I think that the knight's move is playable. To choose between it and other plays I would want to see the whole board.
BTW, after 
- 
, a is not a great point for either player.
Alex: But if Black gets a stone around b, then a become comparatively more important, as it establishes/removes White's base depending on who plays there. Right?
There are times when White might want to play at a, but, as you suggest, Alex, it will usually be from hunger, not because it's a great thing.
![[Diagram]](diagrams/32/0f69c4125ce1fba5dcbb376b703164c1.png)
In the unlikely event that Black follows with 
, 
is normally too small. If White needs it, she probably should have played a 2 space extension to start with. I would think of plays like 'a' - 'd' instead.
Actually, I am beginning to think that is a half measure. It doesn't make much of a base, and it doesn't threaten much.
(Later):
![[Diagram]](diagrams/12/fdcbaf310f7791d2df4fe8aed822dbcd.png)
, but if Black attacks with 
implies that the center is important. With the continuation here White leaps into the center with 
.
Hi Bill,
It seems that the key here is that black felt the center was important, hence the cap. If that's so, is it really enough for white to play along and immediately make a base? (Real question, not rhetorical.)
![[Diagram]](diagrams/32/411590d2b1e3fd9951e22bfd02f508a6.png)
From the developing knight, it seems like a and b are the things w has going for her here. Besides which, this w seems hard to threaten meaningfully because of the stabilizing c play being kept in reserve.
In your comment, you suggest white might consider d... but isn't that just asking black to fortify , and hence strengthen the center that already told us was important?
Thanks for any insight here. I've been playing this wedge more and am hoping to develop some understanding of the position.
It seems that the key here is that black felt the center was important, hence the cap. If that's so, is it really enough for white to play along and immediately make a base? (Real question, not rhetorical.)
As you may imagine, this has not occurred much in pro play. The real answer is that it's a question of judgement.
![[Diagram]](diagrams/8/3d057a87240250e0a699657cdc42265b.png)
![[Diagram]](diagrams/14/25a561dc29c9e5000c54ed08fd65cca1.png)
![[Diagram]](diagrams/32/f5a1000d4c2ddb38163e5d4cfedcb895.png)
![[Diagram]](diagrams/38/54931c4895dab05d0a9ccfa8d8a33b35.png)
. How does White make sense out of 
now?
![[Diagram]](diagrams/0/837ada36572cbc2c298dec64c23cab77.png)
had better work extremely well because Black has given up the invasion at a.
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