Handicap Joseki - Part 1b

British Go Journal No. 1. Summer 1967. Page 10.

Part 1a is on page 9.

II. The two-space approach.

Diagram 17

This play has less influence on the corner, and it is the next most popular variation played. It gives white correspondingly more influence towards the centre. Recommended black replies are A, B, C and D.

III. The extra-large knight's approach.

Diagram 18

White 1 in Dia 18 has even less influence on than white 1 in Dia 17, and therefore it is not imperative for black to defend . If, however, Black has no better play to make elsewhere, 2 is good. Black not only secures the corner, but also attacks white 1. However, if there is a supporting stone for white 1, black 2 is not really attacking and should be replaced by A.

IV. The one-space approach.

Diagram 19

Black's best defence is 2. White usually continues with 3 or A.

V. The large knight's approach.

Diagram 20

This, yet again, is not a strong attack on , and black may play elsewhere if he sees fit. The recommended reply is black 2, completely securing the corner.

VI. White 1 elsewhere.

Diagram 21

If black finds the time to support the corner before white attacks, black 2 is the usual play, although A is sometimes played in special situations.

The Continuations.

I.a. Black secures the corner.

Diagram 3 again.

White 3 is almost invariably played after black 2. White 4 is the more popular of the two variations at this point. After these first four plays white has a choice of five major continuations.

I.a.A. Extend towards the corner.

Diagram 22

White 5 gains a stable group, and is the most played. Black 6 is invariably played to secure the corner.

Diagram 23

Diagram 24

Diagram 25

Diagram 26

White 7 or A in Dia 23 now threatens to cut the black stones off with Dia 24 where black cannot capture white 11. So black must protect the cutting point with 8 in Dia 25, securing the territory as well. This also threatens a further extension to 10. If white now plays 9^* as Dia 25, Dia 25 is good, or Dia 26 gains massive influence towards the centre at very little cost.
^* BGJ had move numbering 2 out.
See also Ishida Joseki Vol 3 page 125.

Diagram 27

Diagram 28

This white 7 doesn't threaten the cut as in Dia 23 & 24, because now black can capture with Dia 28 where black 14 is a very important play.

Diagram 29 BGJ had 20 at 23.

Diagram 30

If White now plays 15, we get Dia 29 or Dia 30 where the white stones die first.

Diagram 31

Diagram 32 31 ko at , 34 ko at

If, however, White plays 15 as in Dia 31 then Dia 32 follows and whatever the white threat, black must capture the stones with his next play. Playing 24' at 26 is impossible because the black stones have one liberty fewer than in the sequence in Dias 29 & 30.

Diagram 33

Diagram 34

Thus the best play is not the defence of the cutting point but 8 in Dia 33. White can, of course, invade this extension but black can gain equivalent compensation. If Black doesn't like the complications which ensue if white cuts as above, he can play Dia 34 after white 9 attempting the cut, gaining all the territory safely at the cost of two stones.

Diagram 35

After 8 if White plays 9 in Dia 35, the correct play is 10 securing the corner. Then by 18 black is menacing the the white group.

Diagram 36

Diagram 37

Or White 11 as Dia 36. Here black 18 is absolutely essential, otherwise white can destroy the corner with 19 in Dia 37 connecting to his outside group.

Diagram 38

Diagram 39

[BGJ had a at 'b4'. 'b5' makes more sense here.]

This White 7 destroys any possible black territory on the west side. Black should answer in a similar fashion to the sequence in Dia 39. After this Black is advised to play elsewhere, and complete the sequence dealt with in Dia 36 when White plays A.

Diagram 40

Diagram 41

This white 7 is very infrequently played, and generally only when there is a black stone at . If there is no stone there, 8 in Dia 41 is best, always play as simply as possible in a handicap game^*.
[* Presumably this comment applies to Black. === sgb]

Diagram 42

If there is a black stone at , Dia 42 can also be played. White can play 9 at A, trying to complicate matters somehat, but after 10 again white will almost certainly have to give up 9'(A) without much of a struggle.

Part 1c is on page 11.