Hanging connection
Table of contents | Table of diagrams Hanging connection The other hanging connection Double hanging connection Avoid two peeps A raw peep Black to play Black Failure Black Success Black to play |
The hanging connection serves at least two distinct purposes: an indirect way of defending a cutting point, and a way of blocking along the side of the board.
Defending a Cutting Point
Black has a cutting point at a. Playing enables Black to defend it - now a white stone played at a is in atari. In this case it is better shape for Black to play
than the
direct connection at a.
Black has this other choice of hanging connection, but that is certainly worse. The White peep at is embarrassing.
Because a double hanging connection allows two peeps, it should often be avoided. Here might be better.
In this case may be criticised as a raw peep: a peep at a cutting point that still might be useful as a cut.
Blocking Along the Side of the Board [1]
Black seeks to block White from entering the top side of the board where Black's position suffers from an open skirt.
While , a hanging connection, blocks White from entering the top side from the corner, White is able to use the forcing move of
to establish a foothold on the top side. The two Whites stones (
and
) do not have a base at this time as there is not enough eyespace. Nonetheless, depending upon the surrounding positions, these stones may be able to escape to the center.
By playing this hanging connection, Black succeeds in blocking White. (Based upon Cho Hun-hyeon Weiqi Sucheng volume 2, problem 80, page 163)
Bill:
is not a hanging connection. What does it connect? The
stones are already connected.
Thad: It should be noted that the hanging connection changes the yose hane-connect from sente ( if
at a
instead, then Black must play b) to gote.
So when is the Hanging connection better than the direct connection? (And vice-versa of course. )
See also
- Tiger's Mouth
- Trumpet Connection
- Bulge
- Hanging connection to the second line as good shape
- Hanging connection to the 2-2 point as good shape.
[1]
Bill: Calling this move a hanging connection is problematical. A turn forms a solid connection, but we would not say in the next diagram that we use a solid connection to block the opponent on the side.