22 Oct 2009 2 Comments
Joseki of the week 4
The joseki for this week is the basic approach, tsuke nobi from the 4-4 point.
It is often played in amateur games with varying
success despite advice from stronger players against it’s usage.
Black usually plays this way to build influence towards a moyo on the top.
White has a cut at a which needs attention.
Playing at b above threatens to cut 1 and 3 apart and prevents black from
immediately cutting at a.
This is the most common continuation.
White usually makes an extension to about 3
to gain a good base for the group.
The exact extension depends on the surrounding and can be any of a.
If there is a strong black group nearby on the left, then a shorter extension may be used.
If it was omited, it becomes easy for black to poke around c and attack white.
If the moyo that black is building is further to the right, then black can instead extend to b to enlarge it.
Otherwise when there are already black stones around b, protecting from the cut at 4 is prefered.
After extending, white has a solid group and has gained sente.
Often this joseki is played in situations where white can reduce
blacks moyo easily or otherwise make good use of having sente,
so black has to be carefull that the situation is appropriate when playing this.
When there isn’t enough room for a proper extension, C12 can work well.
White is no longer forced to respond to E13 with D12.
Other variations after black plays D14 are planned to be covered in a later week.
If there are any questions about the joseki of the week,
or if they are too basic/under-examined/complex, let us know in the comments!
