4-4 point low approach attach-block joseki
See attach-block for the fundamental shape here.
A first interesting point about this joseki concerns . Can White omit this play in order to leave a weakness at the 3-3 point in the corner?
That idea is really in the realm of handicap go: playing the atari is undoubtedly the honte. There is an example from a quickplay game Cho Chikun-Kato Masao 1990-09-09, as here. After Black made strong shape with
, and White invaded at once with
, making miai of a and b.
In general this would be considered a thin way for White to play.
This Chinese classical joseki frequently occurs in old Chinese games when the marked stone approaches hoshi only after the two stones at the right have been played. Instead of , white a black b might be possible. The overall aim here is probably to settle white quickly.
Am I correct in thinking that the choice of depends greatly on the situation along the top side of the board?
and
are in a good position to exploit a play
at the circled point. However, leaving aside the objection that White should have made an approach on the open side, if Black already has a stone in the vicinity of the marked point, would White not be better advised to play at a and seek influence in the centre, or is it simply the case that under those circumstances this is not joseki in the sense of an equitable result being attained?
I agree with you that in that case White a rather than appears to be the correct joseki. In fact, looking at pro games, I find that
is not a very common move: If White wants to make territory, White b is more common; if White goes for influence or thickness, a is. - Andre Engels
In Japan three years ago, I heard Tokimoto Hajime comment about this; saying that amateur players, who like the move at a, may run short of territory. That is, the pro attitude is rather more territorial here.
More variations can be added: I posted this new page to split it from the attach-block shape page. -- Charles Matthews
unkx80: Putting this up for reference.
Common Mistake
is trying too hard; the corner still has problems left behind. At a is the vital point. White plays the nose tesuji of
.
If Black tries to get the two stones with a and c, White will respond with b; and after the capture play to capture the black stones to the right of
and
using the two-stone edge squeeze tesuji.