Star point 4-4

The 4-4 point, called a star point (hoshi in Japanese) is our topic this time. There are nine star points on the board and all of them are marked with a dot, but only four are 4-4 points which I will discuss in this post.

I have to warn you right away that the 4-4 point doesn’t secure territory in the corner, because the invasion at 3-3 (B in the diagram) is open. Of course, invading this at the beginning of the game is a very bad idea. If white wants to attack the corner he can play a good move at A. Or if it’s black’s turn he can secure some points in the corner by adding a stone at A.

Direct Invasion at 3-3

If white immediately invades at 1 he can take the corner easily, but black will build a strong wall in the sequence to 12. This wall is very strong, so the timing of this invasion is very important. If white plays this too early black’s opening will be very easy.

Direct Invasion – Black choice

When black wants to take some territory he can play a double hane at 6, sacrificing one stone to reclaim the corner. If white doesn’t capture with 9 and plays at 10 instead, black will capture the stone at 7 with a ladder. In the end white will need to add one stone in the corner to live, so white’s territory will be inferior to the black wall.

Direct Invasion – White choice

When right side is bigger for white than upper he can play hane at 7. After black block at 8 white has a great tesuji at 9. Now black has many cutting point, so he need to connect at 10. In this variant black also take a corner, main difference is position of white ponnuki.

Attack from the side

Instead of playing invasion at 3-3 point white usually attack corner by playing at 1. Next black play at 2 or A. If black play A instead of 2 he have next good move at B. This is the most popular joseki for 4-4 point, so every go player need to know it.

Attack from the side – Choice

When right side is more important, black can play at 2. There are many variations after this move, but usually black play at 3 to make a life in corner. This show that you need to be flexible if you want play 4-4 point. Sometimes you can take territory and sometimes it is better to obtain influence.