Strategy Spotlight: Territory focused Chinese Fuseki

(February 5, 2010 at 3:55 am by Mile Gu in Strategy Spotlight)

This week, we consider an unconventional defence against an enemy approach to a common pattern that arises from the Chinese fuseki.

Diagram 1.

When white makes the corner approach to reduce Black’s potential, the orthodox reply is at Black 2. What follows is a standard pattern that many of you would have mostly likely encountered, especially if you’re a fan of the Chinese fuseki.

At any rate, Black is usually satisfied with this result, white 7 looks reasonably cramped, and black has increased the potential territory on both the left side and the top right by playing either a or b. In either case, white generally needs to respond at c. Meanwhile, white cannot complain too much, since he must of had three free moves elsewhere on the board.

Diagram 2.

There are times, however, when Black might feel his behind in territory. Or perhaps, the moyos are just not that important. In these situations, Black can choose the unconventional move at 2.

Diagram 3.

White might first look at black in puzzlement. Surely he has made a mistake? White’s most obvious response is at 1, and if things proceed as in diagram 3, black cannot possibly be satisfied. The circled stone looks flat on the third line ineffective. Meanwhile, white’s shape is solid, and it looks like white has successfully neutralised black’s moyo. What could black be thinking with 2?

Diagram 4.

Diagram 3, in fact, is just wishful thinking on white’s part. Black 1 starts the small avalanche Joseki, making maximum use of his extra circled stone. After white 6, Black 7 is essential. Playing this move at a is also joseki, but a total mistake in this context.

Diagram 5.

When white continues the joseki with the cut at 2, black’s circled stone looks perfectly positioned. If it were not there, black would be forced to play 5 at 7, and thus allow white to seal off the top in sente. With the stone, however, is it white 2 and 4 that is under pressure. By Black 7, white has two unsettled groups against black’s one. What’s more, black has taken a solid corner. The ensuring fight will be in black’s favour, and white has been completely tricked. Note that if white a, black can counter with b. Black 7 can also be played at c, but white d is sente.

Diagram 6.

So what is white’s best response? To answer that, we’ll need to rewind to the beginning. Despite first intuition, white’s only choice is to hane at 3, and play lightly at 5. With Black 6, black has completed his goal of securing a significantly larger corner than diagram 1. The result, however, is not one-sided. White’s light group is difficult to attack. Later, white can protect his cur with the 7/8 exchange, and then press down with 9.

If the top right is unimportant, black 2 is well worth a shot. In all likelihood, the enemy will walk right into a small avalanche, and end up fighting for his life.