3-3 Point Invasion

  Difficulty: Beginner   Keywords: Joseki

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!

Basic Concepts of 3-3 invasion

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.

Introduction

[Diagram]

The 3-3 point invasion

Many weak players fear the invasion of W1 in this diagram. Playing Black, they have the idea that their corner territory is taken away, and are, in a sense, correct. After W1, 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 W1 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 W1 only if the position on the edges is such that a white stone at a or b will come under attack.


3-3 Invasion Joseki

[Diagram]

The Standard Joseki

To W1 Black will invariably answer with B2 (or Black at W3, 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."

W3 ensures that White's corner will not be too small. B4 is an important move, pushing White towards the side and reducing the size of the White's corner. White plays at W5 to avoid Black playing at the same point. The severe double hane of B6 at 7 can be considered more advanced. After W7, Black should stretch at B8.

What if B8 plays at "a"? [1]

[Diagram]

The joseki continues

Next, White plays hane at W1, and the joseki ends with B4. 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]


3-3 Invasion Prevention

[Diagram]

Prevention

The usual way to prevent the 3-3 point invasion is a stretch at B1 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 "[squared point]" are possible too. But it is a bit complicated though. (no ko is needed. Any 3-3 invasion will be dead)


Don't play out the wrong variation

[1]

Over-Hane

[Diagram]

Overplay (1)

B1 here instead of B8 in the joseki (W2 in this diagram) is overdoing things. After W8, Black has problems.

[Diagram]

Overplay (2)

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 B5 after B1 here.


[2]

W plays the reverse order

[Diagram]

Changing the order

Paul Clarke, 2dan: If White tries to reverse the order, Black may be able to answer W3 with B4 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

[Diagram]

Variation

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 B6 is a trick play, discussed at 4-4 point 3-3 invasion joseki, hane inside cut.


Other Advanced Variations

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.

Queries

[Diagram]

Queries


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


This is a copy of the living page "3-3 Point Invasion" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2004 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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