Episode #9 Sticky moves in the corner
In this week's screencast we will focus on the aftermath of a popular joseki pattern.
So far both sides are playing one of the most standard josekis in go.
If black simply responds in the corner, we come to the 'perfect base' position that we discussed in episodes #4 and #5
But black does have to answer white at the [3-3 point] and can also play this surprising [attaching move].
In professional games this move is mostly played when black already has another stone in the nearby corner, like the marked stone here.
We will show some of the basic joseki variations that can occur after this [tsuke] and will focus on the end position of one of them.
There is magic in the corner.
In reaction to the black [tsuke] white has two main options: [A] or [B].
We will show [A] first.
This is the most popular of the two white choices.
This is the only move for black. After this move white has several options.
[This] is the oldest and also the most frequently played variation. However, nowadays professionals like to try out other joseki patterns that are a bit more complicated and are not yet well established.
[Jumping] here is a natural flow to develop quickly.
Black can also choose to [extend] a bit more solidly. But this is also a little slower and played less often.
This is again the only move for white. White can not allow black to make a [tiger mouth] shape!
Playing tenuki is a big mistake.
Black will not think twice and make this slow but extremely strong shape.
White needs a base and plays on [san-san]. Black blocks and white has to answer to fix his cutting point.
This is the end of the most basic joseki.
If white plays tenuki, this is again a big mistake.
Black cuts and has a huge corner. White's group is still weak.
White has two other options that professionals play a lot these days. We will show them briefly to give you an idea.
The first idea is to [connect] here instead of pushing from behind.
Black can in return take the corner or the right side.
Black takes the corner. But his two stones on the right side are alone and will be attacked.
One of the ways in which white can pressure the right side. Other possibilities are to play at [A] or [B] instead.
A lot of complicated sequences can follow.
We will attach some professional games with this position in the [bonus tab].
Black can also choose to go for the [right side] instead of the corner.
The last option for white is to descend here. Again black can choose the corner or the outside with [A] or [B].
White protects his cut and black takes the right side.
Instead of taking the corner, this is another way of playing and going for the right side immediately.
Now that we have seen a few variations starting with white [A], let's check out what happens when white plays [B].
Again black has a couple of choices, but a lot less than when white plays the hane on top instead.
We will just show the main variation.
Black makes a probe, giving white two options: [A] or [B].
[A] is easy to understand. [B] requires a favourable ladder for white and leads us to some corner magic.
A simple and clear joseki. White takes a huge corner and gets clear territory while black gets the outside and goes for influence.
Black takes the corner, but we will see that there is still some aji left in the marked white stone.
A favourable ladder is needed for white to play this variation.
Black plays a [ladder breaker] and white has to capture the two black stones.
This is the most usual move, but a fun alternative could be to play this one.
See for yourself what happens when black tries to escape with his two stones.
Black gets sente again. The result looks way too good for black. So why is this joseki?
The answer is found in the white stone at [A]. It looks dead, but there is still magic in the corner.
As so often is the case, the [san-san] is the vital point in the corner. White can still live!
Black can try several things in order to attack white's two stones. But none of them work.
We will show some of black's attempts which are countered by some very nice white tesuji's.
The most straightforward black attack, leading to a straightforward life of white.
The vital point! [A] is always sente, so white is alive.
We attach a pro game in the [bonus tab] where this position occurs.
This is a desperate attempt to kill white, following the proverb: [the enemy's keypoint is yours!]
Another white key point is occupied and white is alive.
Suddenly however the position looks scary. If white connects, there is a ko!
This is the ko.
However, white also has a [tesuji].
Even when black plays atari, white can simply connect and has two eyes in the corner.
Instead of the solid [block] black can try [this] more sophisticated technique.
Pushing through is crucial for white in order to create essential cutting points.
If black wants to kill white, he needs to take away white's eyes. However, white gets sente and can cut black!
This would ofcourse be a terrible result for black.
Black can also try this, but again white can simply cut.
Finally, after the block and the jump, black has one last resort.
This [kosumi] is the most severe killing attempt of the three. But this severe attack will also create a very severe and beautiful counter tesuji for white.
The proper shape move once again.
We studied this position for more than an hour and came to the conclusion that white is alive here aswell. The following moves show the strongest resistance that both black and white have to offer.
White threatens to make two eyes easily, so black ofcourse has to prevent this.
Now that white made himself strong in the corner, he forces his way out with a sequence of tesuji's.
This is the first tesuji.
The natural response for black.
Black has to take the white stone to connect his groups. But now this beautiful tesuji connects white's two groups and is the crux of it all.
Black can not cut white.
Black can also try this, but this also fails.
This result is horrible for black.
Black kills the corner stones, but white has superb strength and territory on the outside.
So when you play this joseki as white, remember that you can always still make life in the corner.
Thanks for watching once again and see you next time.