Table of contents | Table of diagrams The 3-3 point invasion The Standard Joseki The joseki continues Prevention Overplay (1) Overplay (2) Changing the order Variation Queries |
aLegendWai: Re-organization of this page is made. Enjoy!
The information on this page is meant for weaker kyu players. Stronger kyu and dan players are advised to look at 4-4 point 3-3 invasion joseki instead.
Many weak players fear the invasion of in this diagram. Playing Black, they have the idea that their corner territory is taken away, and are, in a sense, correct. After
, it is White rather than Black who will make territory in this corner.
Nevertheless, Black should welcome this invasion. Black shouldn't see this move as an attack on Black's territory; the 4-4 point is not meant to take the corner, but to make thickness and seek a balance between territory and influence. The white invasion at is separated from the rest of the board by the black stone on the 4-4 point. By playing correctly Black will get a strong position. Because of this, stronger players play
only if the position on the edges is such that a white stone at a or b will come under attack.
To Black will invariably answer with
(or Black at
, on the other side).
To choose which way to block, the general rule here is to block on the wider side.
aLegendWai (9k? KGS): I would rather say we should block a side where the supporting stone is not too near (because of over-concentrated) or not too far (because of easy invasion). So we shuld say, "Try to block on a side where it is not too narrow or too wide." For details, see my comments in "block on the wider side."
ensures that White's corner will not be too small.
is an important move, pushing White towards the side and reducing the size of the White's corner. White plays at
to avoid Black playing at the same point. The severe double hane of
at 7 can be considered more advanced. After
, Black should stretch at
.
What if plays at "a"? [1]
Next, White plays hane at , and the joseki ends with
. White has sente and a few points in the corner, but Black's wall is like a block of concrete, controlling a large part of the board. This result is regarded as good for Black locally, but is often White's best choice, nonetheless. Later in the game the cut at a might be a problem for Black, see Squeeze for more discussion how and when to defend.
Reuven: What if white tries to do these 2 in reversed order? (Not much, can be changed by white, but I didn't see any white variations, which differ from the main line - Only blacks options were explored, it seems, no?) [2]
The usual way to prevent the 3-3 point invasion is a stretch at or a depending on where friendly stones are nearby. The one-space jump at b and the diagonal at c can also be used, though they are seen less frequently.
aLegendWai (9k? KGS): Correct me if wrong.
Points at "" are possible too. But it is a bit complicated though. (no ko is needed. Any 3-3 invasion will be dead)
[1]
here instead of
in the joseki (
in this diagram) is overdoing things. After
, Black has problems.
White could also attack the black stones at the left with these moves. Either way, White has destroyed Black's thickness, and has good chances of getting even more.
Charles I've seen a pro as White play directly at after
here.
[2]
Paul Clarke, 2dan: If White tries to reverse the order, Black may be able to answer with
in the diagram "Changing the order". This lets Black shut White into the corner (particularly as 'a' is Black's sente). White ends up with a smaller corner than in the joseki, and Black may be in a position to make territory on the left. The disadavantage for Black is the aji of the cut at 'b'.
aLegendWai: The discussion about the above relocates to 4-4 point 3-3 invasion, W reverse playing order.
Variation where White ends with fewer points, and Black ends in gote - ZeroKun
aLegendWai (9k? KGS): The above line of plays are wrong for W. B favors. If W plays out the right one, the situation can be accpetable for both.
Charles This is a trick play, discussed at 4-4 point 3-3 invasion joseki, hane inside cut.
This joseki has a few variations, most of them designed to give Black the possibility of ending in sente. If you want to look at them, see 4-4 point 3-3 invasion joseki.
mat Very often I ask myself if a 3-3 point invasion still works in the presence of more than one black stone. I've set up a page to discuss which of those work and which don't: 3-3 Point - When Does It Work
Original authors: Andre Engels, Adamzero, JamesA