Hello, before the new year I want to tell you about another move in the corner: komoku (3-4). Komoku is not as strong as san-san if we’re talking about territory. Komoku is on a 4th line and a 3rd line, so from one side the corner is open and it needs one more move to secure the corner territory. There are 4 standards moves to enclose a corner (A-D on Diagram). The most popular moves are A and B. Moves like C and D are rare but if a player is influence oriented this kind of move is very natural for him.

Today professionals are more inclined to play for territory than influence, so we can find many good examples of using enclosures at A or B. The move at A gives a stronger position in the corner. After a move at B the corner is still open because all of the stones are on the 4th line. An attack on the 3rd line is very dangerous for black territory in this corner. The good news is that, if you play at B, the corner enclosure has bigger impact on the side, so in the future you can develop a framework on the side without much trouble. If you want territory in the corner, a move like A is good enough. What you will choose depends on your style.

Of course the opponent won’t wait until you secure your corner. If he wants to attack your corner, he needs to play in one of 4 places (A-B on Diagram). Of course A and B are the most popular moves. The sequence after an attack is very complicated and I will discuss this topic in future.