Hi Everyone,
I have received some requests on the continuation to the problem that I have posted in our first 4-4 point Joseki lesson. It appears that many people do in fact face this situation in their real games. So I have decided to dedicate one post to discuss that diagram.
Diagram 1.
In that lesson, the question was what happens if Black replies with the fighting empty triangle of “b”?
There are mainly two continuations for White, depending on whether he has a favorable ladder or not.
Diagram 2.
Assuming that the ladder is good for White, the sequence to White 6 in Diagram 2 above follows. The Black group is captured and it is a disaster for Black.
Diagram 3.
Black may have seen this unfavorable ladder and extended to Black 5 in Diagram 3 instead but then White will immediately cut with White 6 and gets the whole corner and side while the Black stones are still without a base and needs to scramble for life.
Diagram 4.
If Black turns at Black 5 in Diagram 4 above, White will play at White 6 and makes “a” and “b” miai. If Black cuts at “a”, White will capture the whole White group with a ladder at “b”.
Diagram 5.
If Black becomes impatient and wants to capture the two White stones with Black 3 in Diagram 5 above, then White will give atari with White 4 and to White 6 captures the whole Black group. Therefore Black has to extend to Black 3 in Diagram 2 first and cannot be impatient.
Now let’s look at the case where the ladder is favorable for Black.
Diagram 6.
If the ladder is favorable for Black, White will just connect with White 2 and takes the right side while Black will get the corner with Black 5. This position is still acceptable for Black.
Diagram 7.
Again, Black cannot be impatient and immediately wants to capture the two White stones with Black 3 because White will play at 4 and seals Black in.
Diagram 8.
The reason for Black being impatient to capture the two White stones in Diagram 7 above is because he may be afraid that White saves the two stones back with White 4. However, Black will counter with Black 5 and through the sequence to Black 7 will capture the whole White group (White has to captures the Black “c” stone at “a”, then Black give atari at “b”. White has to connect at “c” and then Black gives atari at “d” and then captures the whole White group at “e”). Can you see this sequence?
Diagram 9. Recommendation.
One simple way to avoid the complications is to play Black 2 when White plays at 1 with the marked stone combination. Black gets makes shape and gets out into the center.
I hope that through this supplementary lesson, we are clear on this very common position and that you are more confident when this position arise in your game.
Till then, see you!
