Dropping back
is dropping back, yielding some ground to Black instead of making the obvious, but potentially heavy extension at a, or a hane at b which will encourge Black to keep on with c.
The English term dodge may also be used, but it has a wider range of meanings. Suggestion: perhaps the military term 'to fall back' i.e. a controlled retreat without panicking or entirely running away, might also be appropriate?
As it may be impractical to play right next to a very strong group, but possible to contain it an increased distance, this is an application of don't play near thickness.
,
, and
are one possible follow-up to White's dropping back move. White is treating
lightly.
Example 1
here is quite a bad idea. Black's cut at
is strong, and suddenly Black can see some use for the
stone.
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/30/1c108163627227312bfa25a82013d92c.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/30/cda7e0ca8f9c80e8c63a5b391c5cb19f.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/11/8a3e9e891f6b6237b7e80c21a102f0f7.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/18/38338326c843ac653f03383d3d9b1fd4.png)
invites White a.
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/45/1cfaac062d7686b7ec9e0a5a0b168ed4.png)
Black has some sente profit. On the other hand White's shape is improved.
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/7/c0aba03c300300a2ced22047fe940442.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/30/a40ca3685f3c8100813993afa81ee449.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/5/dd20ddbf7b90351348e4a62387fff7ce.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/38/2139ac1b7b092cb6b82f72a91269385f.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/18/e6ad5ac5190d75b17d7e4bd56cb6ceca.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/12/2c446adee3a66767af1ac8c19b018dbc.png)
2024 the Authors,
published under the ![Sensei's Library [Welcome to Sensei's Library!]](../../images/stone-hello.png)