How To Play Along The Sides - Part 3a

British Go Journal No. 9. October 1969. Page 8.

Kaku Takagawa, 9p

Continued from part 2, BGJ 8 page 10.

VI. Important Placement Points Connected with Bases

Diagram 32

Connecting a base to a large placement is very important and often overlooked. In Dia 32, the difference between White's play at 1 and a move in the corner by Black can be seen by comparing the upper right with the lower left. The base in the corner is very important to both sides, and the difference of who occupies this corner by an initial placement is of double significance.

Diagram 33

Diagram 34

Such placements should often be given priority over more obvious plays. Dia 33 shows such a move.

If Black omits 1, White will play as in Dia 34.

These important points should be occupied as soon as the large placements along the sides are finished. Notice the effect on black's base by the placement of 3 after Black tries to hold white in Dia 34.
[ Does 'hold' here mean 'limit the incursion by'? ]

Diagram 35

Another example is given in Dia 35. Here, if White plays 1 or Black plays X instead, the difference is very great. In these forms, placements are often on the second line, but this only means that the opening has progressed to this stage and should not be regarded as contradictory to the axiom of the third and fourth lines. (See Part One in issue No.7.)

Diagram 36 [BGJ omitted black at M3.]

In Dia 36, 1 in the upper right secures the base, so there is an actual gain. At the same time it threatens the two white stones on the upper side. Often Black will play A instead, with White answering B; Black may then play elsewhere. In this case, though, a definite advantage for either side cannot be claimed, 1 is still desirable considered from the partial view of this corner.

If Black does not play the defence given, we see what may happen in the lower left corner. After 9, black is under a decided disadvantage. Even if White simply plays at 3, and Black answers 1, there will be a loss for Black. The struggle for these placements often precedes some of the other large placements mentioned previously.

VII. The Balance of Placements

The axiom for the third and fourth lines was pointed out earlier, in issue Number 7. All fuseki should try and follow this axiom. The balance of placement means the balance in arrangement of stones on the third and fourth lines.

Diagram 37

In Dia 37 each player has extended three or four points from the original attack against the 3-4 stone. At the top, when White plays 'high' with 1 on the fourth line, Black answers low with 2 on the third. This is a form of balance.

Now, although the next suitable place for white is A, this move would not seriously affect Black because of his low placement. On the lower side 2 answers 1; it seems a desirable point, but it allows 3 which is an ideal point for white. In other words, Black's formation is such that he will not be able to neglect 3 or white will follow up with B. Thus 2 on the upper side is placed low to prevent such a move.

Diagram 38

In Dia 38, White plays 3 high on the fourth line, balancing 1. Casting aside the idea that white intends holding all the territory between 1 and 3, in general it is desirable that if one stone is placed low on one side then the other should be placed high.

On the lower side one white stone is low, so that White plays 1 high. If 1 were placed low it would be a duplication of low placements and also invite a black invasion at A. But in this case White can play immediately above A without any danger due to the position of 1.

Diagram 39

In Dia 39, 1 and 3 are placed low so that 5 must be played high between them. There are points where black might invade between 1 and 5, or between 3 and 5, but, if he should do this, White will be able to connect his forces because 5 is on the fourth line.

Diagram 40

Dia 40 shows 1 in balance with the two black stones on the right, but, viewed in relation to the left, it cannot be said to be properly in balance. But If it were one point above instead, this would be good in relation to the whole formation. The 3-3 positions in both corners will be open, but White will not gain much from playing there.

Diagram 41 [ BGJ had the white stone at r6 marked 1 as well. ]

In Dia 41, 1 attacks the two white stones on the left. The high placement on the fourth line is suitable in this case because of black's low position to the right. However, if his right hand corner were defended by A, instead of the marked stone, then 1 should be played low at B to balance this high position.

Continued in part 3b on page 10.