Avalanche

PageType: Path     Keywords: Joseki, Go term

Chinese: 雪崩 (xue3 beng1)
Japanese: 雪崩 (nadare)
Korean: 눈사태

[Diagram]

Avalanche joseki

The avalanche joseki is one of the most famous joseki. The name refers to the typical shape (the similarity will be clearer if you watch the diagram upsidedown). There exist several variants, of which the large avalanche can grow quite complex.

[Diagram]

Large avalanche

This much-played variation is known as the large avalanche. It starts a number of complicated variations. See large avalanche for these. If either player wants to avoid these complications, White can play at a or play tenuki (move elsewhere) with W8, or Black can play at a or b with B9. These are described in large avalanche simple variations.

[Diagram]

Small avalanche

With B1, Black starts the small avalanche. The moves upto B5 are forced; after this White can play a or b, but b depends on a ladder. See small avalanche for the continuations.

[Diagram]

A simple variation

B7 is advisable for those players who are not comfortable with their knowledge of the avalanche joseki. Black steers the joseki to a simple variation without giving in in any way - the result is equal. See nadare connection.

[Diagram]

Double hane

The next variant of the avalanche is when Black plays the double hane of B7 in this diagram. Traditionally, the answer to this move has been a, after which usually Black will try to get influence down the left side, but nowadays the white extension at b is gaining popularity. For the double hane variation, see nadare double hane.

[Diagram]

Descent

B7 is similar to black a in that it is peaceful and takes territory. For this variation, see nadare descent.


This is a copy of the living page "Avalanche" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2007 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
[Welcome to Sensei's Library!]
StartingPoints
ReferenceSection
About