3-4 point high approach, keima

  Difficulty: Intermediate   Keywords: Joseki
[Diagram]

Keima

This choice of B1 is very steady. Usually Black isn't planning any complex variations here, but to keep sente and create a solid position on the left side.

For pro use of this joseki, see the keima joseki in fuseki.

[Diagram]

White's reply

After that Black at a is the standard play. The pincer at b is quite a new development in joseki (though played by Takagawa 50 years ago). Occasionally Black plays at c, but this leaves an obvious weakness and bad aji near a. Black tenuki at this point is rare. (An example appears in one of the games in The 1971 Honinbo Tournament book. A rare case in which knowing a pro play can be detrimental.)

For White tenuki now, see 3-4 point high approach, keima, tenuki.

[Diagram]

Black's answer 'a'

After B1, the main line here, an extension to one of a, b and c is expected: which then ends the joseki. It seems that the tight extension at a has become more popular than c; the play at b will be made in connection with some overall consideration. White directly at d is also seen.

[Diagram]

Black's answer 'b' (1)

After B1 White commonly plays into the corner with W2, and B3 gives Black some sort of development on both sides.

Andre Engels: I cannot find any extension like B3 in my game collection. Black either connects at a, or plays tenuki.

Charles Two examples I have (Gogod) are Takagawa games from 1954 (as old as me). A recent one was Yoda Norimoto-Kobayashi Koichi 2002-02-18 in the Kakusei final.

[Diagram]

Black's answer 'b' (1.1a)

Nick Hoover: 3 is another reply for black that seals white into the corner and emphasizes the outside. 3 games on GoBase have this pattern.

[Diagram]

Black's answer 'b' (1.1b)

If white resists being sealed in and plays 2 at 3, then black can play 3 at 2 and white is left with a group without a base.

[Diagram]

Black's answer 'b' (2)

There is also a fighting line, set off by W2. After some moves on the outside, Black goes back to a to live in the corner.

[Diagram]

Black's answer 'c'

After B1 this way, W2 is normal. Possibly White plays at a. After that an extension along the left side is very big for Black.


transposition: BQM 246


Charles Matthews


[Diagram]

Cut cut cut

  • What if I decide to cut here? --Sigmundur
[Diagram]

Bitter 10k blitz fight

  • This is how it went in my last game. The game continued with Ba, Wb, c, d, e, f. I ended up in reasonable shape and nothing died (stones W1 and WS got captured). Feel free to put here a more enlightened example :) --Sigmundur


erislover: I am hardly an expert but this seems the natural move to me. After W7 I do not see how black can get a good result.

[Diagram]

Cut cut cut ?

[Diagram]

Seems natural, but isn't

W1, W7 in the above diagram, seems like a natural move but isn't. After B2, white is out of options


erislover Thanks for your input. I read a ko from black's play, so white isn't out of options, but your "correct move" sequence is better than that. Thanks!

[Diagram]

Correct move

After these moves, there is no escape for black. If black tries a, we get the next diagrams

[Diagram]

Correct move, cont'd

If black plays B1 and then cuts with B3, white stretches and black loses his stones. Black cannot captur white if she answers a with b. Note that after exchanging a for b, the geta at c does not succesfully contain the white group, as white can push trough at d.

[Diagram]

Correct move, cont'd 2

If after W2 black clamps with B3, white connects. After this sequence (11 at W6), white plays a and captures black


[Diagram]

Cut cut cut

What if black responds to 3 with 4? I tried out a few sequences and black seems to get a good result. Is there a way for white to take advantage of black's joseki deviation?

PetriP? You could read the article by Alexandre Dinerchtein from [ext] http://www.go4go.net/english/article/tricky/ . I think B is quite okay anyways not too bad, if You rememer/understand all the variations.

[Diagram]

sacrifice and seal in

AndyPierce: I'm no expert but my guess is the usual thought would be for white to add a second stone to WC and sacrifice both in order to seal black into the corner and blight the BC stone. White has some cutting points to deal with, but should be able to handle it (probably white fixes up at a next). Black's corner is only 10 points (if black eventually takes W9) and black's play has been inconsistent with his BC intent to develop on the left side.

[Diagram]

Double attack

Bill: The descent, W7, attacks both B2 - B4 and BC - B6. Black is in trouble.

[Diagram]

Double attack (2)

Bill: For instance, if B1, W2 defends against the ladder (B2). Now if B3, W4 is solid. Black's disadvantage is clear.

[Diagram]

Double attack (3)

Bill: Black might try B1, but W2 is an adequate reply. Now through W6 is still good for White.

Bill: BTW, shouldn't these questions be BQMs?


This is a copy of the living page "3-4 point high approach, keima" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2007 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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