Ugly descent
Ugly descent or ugly sagari is a tesuji used in some particular types of capturing races in the corner. The name "ugly sagari" was coined by HolIgor.
In capturing races like this, the ugly-looking descent like
here might be the key to overcome problems with shortage of liberties. In this case, it is the only correct move.
puts up a stronger resistance, but the same clamp at
still works. While
is a tesuji for gaining liberties, White is still ahead by one move because the ugly descent prevents Black from making the approach move at a.
If
plays on the 1-2 point instead, then
can throw-in. White can only respond by creating a ko with
.
This is an elaboration on why
in the previous diagram has to start a ko. Because if
captures the
stone, then after the descent at
, Black has the cut at
which prevents White's approach at a.
There is also a belly attachment tesuji at
, but it only results in a ko, unlike the unconditional capture achieved by the correct ugly descent move.
See also
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/7/b00f197c5115e2631467c0b624ebfcc1.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/29/7b742c5a00104d1f5396b40ba4c752ee.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/40/8a95befe913efd322e60eca584879bfb.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/52/960b92ddea7d3f6f8b0449903ee112b6.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/21/df46cee881752111da437059212d909a.png)
at ![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/8/a98e319347a6fe51785896f355011c11.png)
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/12/72bfd594e56a8aae750499038a6a5450.png)
2024 the Authors,
published under the ![Sensei's Library [Welcome to Sensei's Library!]](../../images/stone-hello.png)