3-4 point high approach low extension

    Keywords: Joseki
[Diagram]

One-space extension

This is a Kitani joseki from the 1940s - though not exclusive to him. Black aims to make B1 a very solid stone.

[Diagram]

Normal continuation

Up to W6 is standard. In this case B5 leaves no weakness behind (compare with the case of black+circle at a). This is a tight way to play.

[Diagram]

Inside hane

Unusually Black can also play B1 inside, as here. In this main line, played in 2001 in a number of pro games, Black takes a larger corner but White is thicker.

Charles Matthews

xela: On general principles (ExtensionFromAWall) wouldn't W10 normally be at a? I found four pro games with this variation; two out of four had W10 at a. How would one choose?

Bill: The principle does not count the stone on the second line. The principle is based upon whether an unsupported invasion can escape or live. So the usual extension is to W10. (With an extension to a I think that an unsupported invasion can live in gote, at the expense of a huge thickness for White.)

For B5 at b, see BQM186.


[Diagram]

Extension on third line



antic: Okay, but what if black plays like this? I played a in a game and got a very unsatisfactory result.

[Diagram]

Sagari

Bill: White would hate it if Black played atari at W4, so W4 looks like a good play. It's a double attack, threatening B1 and B3 as well as black+circle.

Bob McGuigan: The shape in this diagram is crosscut-like and in such a situation it is always useful to ask which of your crosscut stones needs the most help. It seems the white stone on the 3-3 point needs help, so extend its liberties, as W4 does.

[Diagram]

Good empty triangle

Bill: Although the early play is different, in Kono Te Goyoshin (Watch out for these plays), 4-4 vol., Go Seigen shows this diagram and says that it is good for White. White aims at a or b.

[Diagram]

Atari, Sagari

Bill: It may be best to atari with W4 first to get Black to invest a stone with B5. After W6 something has to give.


3-4 point high approach low extension, trick play

3-4 point high approach low extension, whole board

Question on the variations resulting when black plays 5 as another hane in the last sequence: BQM186


This is a copy of the living page "3-4 point high approach low extension" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2012 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
[Welcome to Sensei's Library!]
StartingPoints
ReferenceSection
About