![]() StartingPoints Referenced by
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4-4 point low approach high extension
Keywords: Joseki
For quite some time
DJ: If I may add a comment, I do not think that, even given a stone at the marked points,
White's common replies, in decreasing order of popularity, are a to f (1.1 below). The different extensions b to e have of course rather different meanings. In particular the answer at d, without playing first at a, goes against some matters taught as common sense basics: which hasn't prevented it being adopted in many progames of recent times. White can also play tenuki, risking a diagonal attachment attack.
This is the classic continuation. To switch direction, Black can play
1.1 White at f (
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White undermines |
Andy Pierce: I play the high extension when I am looking to develop primarily towards the center and secondarily along the left side. I'd like opinions on how (and whether) to answer
? Is
here adequate for center emphasis, or are there better options, for example in the context of facing an opposing san ren sei on the bottom side?
Charles This would be sometimes enough. Depending on the top side, playing kosumitsuke there before might be good, to get a double attack?. The books teach Black at a here. The pros tend to play b.
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Black changes his mind |
I have seen amateurs play this several times but the corner is not secure and this doesn't seem to fit with the purpose of in the first place.
Charles Classic bad play - see clumsy double contact.
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Black chickens out |
I have played this way to secure a base but there must be better options here as this is just too slow.
Charles Not at all good. at a is better, but this all shows 'handicap game mentality'. Why play the high extension at all, if you are content with this?
Andy Pierce: I agree. I think these type of plays arise as a result of both greed and fear. When an amateur plays the high extension, the mindset is often not of developing central power, but of trying to secure more territory than would be secured with a low extension (greed). When white plays the second kakari black's mindset switches from greed to fear (now I don't get a base!) and he makes some panicky overconcentrated athematic gote moves in the corner.
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