3-4 point high approach, two-space high pincer, keima

    Keywords: Joseki

This page is in need of attention.
Reason: this joseki has regained popularity and should be revised


[Diagram]

Keima

This move will be answered by Black's cut at a, regardless of any ladder. Actually, Ishida may say this is bad for White - but that's old information.

[Diagram]

Forced cutting sequence


1. White stretches aggressively

[Diagram]

Stretch 1

When White aggressively stretches with W1, Black can stretch too at B2 or play a (see later).

[Diagram]

One continuation

After Black's outside attachment, White will eventually have to live on the side, while Black takes central influence. Next Black can aim at attacking White's other group. This fight has been regarded as favourable for Black in most circumstances, a.o. by Ishida's Joseki dictionary.

[Diagram]

Stretch 2

Each of Black's moves B2, B4 and B6 are sente and cannot be answered by a hane: each cut will be favourable for Black. In the end, White cannot even play W9 at B10, so Black takes a big corner. All the cannots'' in the above explanation can be explored further.


2. White stretches into the other direction

[Diagram]

New joseki

This variation has been played for 20 years, and is popular right now in pro games. B2 is a common tesuji.

What are the followups here? -- JohnAspinall (who played this very badly last night on KGS)

[Diagram]

Common continuation

Charles Up to W3 is a common continuation in recent pro games. Where to play B4 is not so easy. Black a - White b is a standard way.

[Diagram]

Why 2 is tesuji

If White pushes at W3 and W5, Black happily connects. White will not be able to save his top stones.

[Diagram]

The resembling move

Dieter: I wonder what happens with this one.


3. White peacefully plays atari (not recommended)

[Diagram]

Atari

This peaceful result can easily be visualized. Black takes a substantial amount of territory. White takes influence and sente. However, it is felt that white+circle is not placed effectively. In fact, there is a joseki resulting from the ogeima variation where white+circle is instead at a. That result is considered even and the final judgment will depend on whole board strategy or personal preference.


3. What if black doesn't play the tesuji at 2?

[Diagram]

Alternatives?

Instead of 2 it is also possible to play a, b or c, all of which I have been told yield bad results for white, or is that no longer true? A seems to leave white in an inferior position to black, B gives white a lot of territory but black has gained too much influence all around and C keeps white split into two weak groups



This is a copy of the living page "3-4 point high approach, two-space high pincer, keima" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2009 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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