Joseki

British Go Journal No. 0. Spring 1967. Page 4a.

Handicap (4-4 point)

Part A

The symbol links to Dia 2 where selection of the 5 main variations discussed is possible.

Diagram 1

Diagram 2 (E,F,G,H,I are links)

The most popular reply to the 4-4 point move is the play at 1. Now black can play A, B, C, D, E or a pincer move. In this issue we shall only deal with A, 2 in Dia 2. With this, black attempts to obtain influence towards the centre, to stop White gaining a large area along the lower side and to prevent White complicating the position later on by settling the corner immediately. There is only one white reply, 3, preventing black from playing at J and also threatening K. To protect against this, black can play 4 or E, at the moment we shall only deal with 4, the more popular move. This combination of 2 & 4 is tsuke-nobi.
BGJ had move 2 a tsuke-nobi, but 2 is tsuke, 4 is nobi.

Options for White 5: E, F, G, H & I.

White 5 at E

Diagram 3

White 5 protects J and gains a stable base whilst threatening the corner. Black 6 is the only reply that stops this invasion.

Diagram 4 From Dia 3

Diagram 5 From Dia 3

(1) In Dia 4, white 1, or white N if there is a black stone at O, threatens a cut with white K, black L, white M, so Black replies with 2. This promises some area along the side for Black who can later play at P.

(2) In Dia 5, white 1 gets the reply black 2 as the cut of Dia 4 does not work - as shown in Dias 6..11.

Diagram 6 (1-7) From Dia 5

Diagram 7 (8-16) From Dia 6

Dias 6 & 7 show white's cut and his endeavour to kill the black corner stones.

Diagram 8 (17-20) From Dia 7

Diagram 9 (21-26) 26 ko at (16). From Dia 8

Dias 8 & 9 are one continuation with a ko. Black 24 is a local ko threat. Whatever ko threat White makes with 27, black 28 captures the white stones (19 et al).

Diagram 10 (17-26) From Dia 7

Diagram 11 From Dia 5 Black 4 missing from BGJ.

Or instead of Dia 8, white could try Dia 10. After 26 white has run out of liberties.

In the variation of Dia 11, black 20 wins.

Thus the cut does not work for white after Dia 5.

Diagram 12 From Dia 5

Diagram 13 From Dia 12

White can play 1 in Dia 12. Note that 13' cannot be played at 14 as Black blocks above 14 and kills white. White 19 stops black making two eyes.

Diagram 14 After Dia 13

Dia 14 continues later. Black 9 protects the cutting point.
Black can make this a ko.

Diagram 15 From Dia 5

Or more often 1 & 2 here - black 2 protecting the cutting point. Black 4 attacks J and 10 threatens a possible invasion later at N.

Diagram 16 From Dia 5

This is a variation on Dia 15, white 3 gets a more stable group. Black 8 gains more room for eyes so white 9 escapes. Black 10 is now essential...

Diagram 17 Variation in Dia 16

Diagram 18 Variation in Dia 16

... Otherwise white plays 1 in Dia 17 and 18. These lose a large amount for Black.

Diagram 19 From Dia 3

(3) This is the last option in the "White 5 at E" set of variations. Black 4 again protects the cutting point.

This article continues in part B.