Whiteboard Sunday – First Joseki
Source: Docgnome Flickr
Hello guys and girls :) Haengma is changing dramatically! It will have more tutorials and interesting columns.
The first new column will be called Whiteboard Sunday. Why Whiteboard Sunday? Because I won’t use Eidogo in this column, but instead I will make black and white Diagrams. I think this is a better way to teach. Every Sunday I’ll post about some small topic and give one problem to solve in the following week.
Diagram 1 — First Joseki
In the first Whiteboard Sunday, I want discuss one of the most common joseki in the corner. Diagram 1 shows that joseki. The sequence itself is easy to remember, but afterward the situation becomes complicated if you want to find a nice follow-up.
Diagram 2 — Black tesuji
From black’s perspective, a follow-up is very easy to find. Black 1 from Diagram 2 is a tesuji. In 99% of games white will answer with 2 and next black will link all his stones with black 3. Now white has two major moves: A or B. Most players play next at A, because B looks a little passive.
Diagram 3 — White wedge
White 1 in Diagram 3 is the most popular answer. This way white puts more pressure on the black shape. After move 4 black gets a nice strong wall but loses sente. This is the purpose of white 1. Sometimes Black keeps sente by skipping black 4. Of course this is not as good, because after connecting at 4 black gets a wall without any weaknesses.
Dia. 4 — White mistake
White 1 at Diagram 4 is a mistake. There is no chance to break this huge wall. White gains very little and black gets an iron wall. This sequence is possible, but only in the endgame stage when there isn’t any other way to reduce the black territory in center.
Diagram 5 — Hard time
White can also try to play atari form the other side, but after black 4 in Diagram 5 the situation becomes very hard. As you can see, the white wedge from Diagram 3 gives black a very nice wall.
Diagram 6 — Calm response
Some people don’t like the previous outcome. They prefer to play more calm and thick with white 1 in Diagram 6. This move doesn’t give black too much strength. It’s also very good from a territorial perspective. The black endgame move at A is no longer sente, so we can say that locally white gets a nice profit from this exchange.
Diagram 7 — Break out
If black plays tenuki after Diagram 6, white will break out to the center with 1-5. This makes black’s first move meaningless. White 1 in Diagram 7 is a tesuji and worth remembering.
Diagram 8 — Black to play
At the end of this Whiteboard Sunday I’ll give you problem to solve. Also please leave comments. What do you think about this column? Which topics do you want me to cover next in Whiteboard Sunday?
Related posts:
- Whiteboard Sunday – First Joseki #5
- Whiteboard Sunday – First Joseki #4
- Whiteboard Sunday – First Joseki #2
I really enjoyed the explanations and the problem. Easy openings follow-ups is a great idea for a column. Black’n'white diagrams are also ok. For me it helps to visualize everything and page looks more clear.
Thanks
I like this idea of Whiteboard Sunday. I hope you keep this up. I’ll certainly check!!
Well, thanks for the effort, I think it’s a great idea.
Loved this one on joseki, I’d enjoy it if you could stick with the same topic for some more columns, covering more josekis.
Very nice, clear explanations. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
So clearly explained it seems very simple and natural… and still those powerful tricks will greatly improve my game, thanks ! (I’m still a “double digit”, crawling up :) ).
Wow … i really learned something … cool! Thank you! I will read all the other Whiteboard Sundays as well!
Weird. That’s my go board in that picture. Not like, I have a go board just like that one, but that one IS my go board. Strange to see it there… ;)