Pushing battles in joseki 5

    Keywords: Joseki

The press 3-5 joseki is prolific of pushing battle variations.

[Diagram]

Pushing battle ahead

After these ordinary plays, a pushing battle may occur, pivoting on the point a, either if Black plays there immediately, or if Black extends down the left side and White plays there.

[Diagram]

White pushes into the centre

Assuming Black does extend down the side, W1 is very big and also important for shape. B4 at a is possible, even though Black seems to have weaknesses. Or Black can play at b and aim to play hane in one or two moves' time.

[Diagram]

Current in Korea

This sacrifice variation after Black's double hane gives both sides strong shape; and makes sense if Black made a long extension down the side. It is seen in recent Korean games.

[Diagram]

From the textbook

There is a standard variation if Black presses on immediately, to be found in books. It may lead into large-scale variations: Rin Kaiho and Sakata Eio played two spectacular games involving them in the summer of 1967. There are many tactical and timing issues, meaning that the full, approved sequence isn't often played through.



One case where the joseki sequence appeared was in a game Fujisawa Hideyuki-Rin Kaiho from 1968, with a Shusaku fuseki. When Black chose the large avalanche with B5, White played W6 and so on to keep Black in a low position.

[Diagram]

Perfect model sequence



Black naturally plays double hane with B5, and W8 leaves a kikashi in the corner.

[Diagram]

Completion



Both sides make orderly positions in the end. Black can think about playing at a before White has the chance of playing W6. In this case the focus is on the WC stones: B9 is thick and keeps them heavy.

[Diagram]

Tame variation

A variation that is also sometimes used in pro games is for White to hold back with W4 and jump with W6 here.



Now a pushing battle can still occur, starting with a, but both sides have better shape and the plays are less sharp and urgent.

Charles Matthews


See also:


This is a copy of the living page "Pushing battles in joseki 5" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2007 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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