44 Point, Low Approach, Low Extension, 3-3 invasion

    Keywords: MiddleGame, Joseki

Table of contents Table of diagrams
3-3 invasion
Typical joseki
Typical joseki
Life-and-death issue
Cut
Cut
Alternative invasion
Continuation
Cut
Shut in
Sealed in
Desperate

[Diagram]

3-3 invasion

Typically, invading the 3-3 early in the opening gives White a cramped position. Black gets thickness and White only a small territory. However, such an invasion can be very severe during the middlegame if White is very strong on the outside.



Typical invasion

[Diagram]

Typical joseki

This is a typical joseki. Note that B8 here is very safe, so this joseki is recommended if Black does not want any complications.

[Diagram]

Typical joseki

Black can also play B1 here, completely shutting in White. Of course, this might look better for Black, but the question is whether W4 can cut at a.

[Diagram]

Life-and-death issue

Of course, there is a life-and-death issue here. If W4 in the previous diagram tenukis, then B1 and B3 kills with a L-group. However, White has a four to five space big eye here, plus possible captures, so this White group has a lot of liberties. Depending on the stones in the vicinity, the cut at a may be possible.

[Diagram]

Cut

That is to say, it may be possible for White to cut first, leaving Black with two weak groups, before returning to live at a.

[Diagram]

Cut

Bill: Well, I have a book that shows the cut, Suzuki and Kitani's Small Joseki Dictionary. Voila. B4 and B6 are tesuji.


Alternative invasion

[Diagram]

Alternative invasion

If White is very strong on the outside, W3 can be very severe. Note that W3 invites damezumari, but also creates a cutting point at a.

[Diagram]

Continuation

Whether Black needs to defend at B2 depends on whether the cut at a works. Note that W3 is played here instead of b to avoid L+2 group with descent.

[Diagram]

Cut

White's previous moves are played in the premise that W4 and W6 works. Of course, there is a ladder involved, and it must not work for Black.

[Diagram]

Shut in

B1 connects. W2 is the simplest move. If Black insists on killing the corner, W4 seals him in.

If Black moves out with B3, White turns at a and captures four stones.

Depending on White's support, other moves like W2 at a are possible.

[Diagram]

Sealed in

Note that for this variation of the invasion, Black can seal White in with sente. If White is not very strong on the right, then Black can then attack the three White stones on the right.


Desperate

[Diagram]

Desperate

If the surroundings is really very hostile, black can choose to play sabaki and build eyes. But this is definitely not meant for normal play.


See also


This is a copy of the living page "44 Point, Low Approach, Low Extension, 3-3 invasion" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2009 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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