Lesson 155: The Advanced Haengma 1

By Nam Chi-hyung

``Haengma'' is perhaps the only Korean Baduk term which is widely accepted by the English-speaking Baduk players. It is often mistakenly compared to the Japanese concept ``tesuji,'' which means a brilliant move in a certain shape. When you are talking about a specific move fit for a certain situation, there is another Korean Baduk term ``maek,'' which has almost the same meaning as the Japanese tesuji.

In contrast, the moves referred to as haengma are more general. The basic haengma is well explained in proverbs such as ``when being attached, bend,'' ``cut across a knight's move,'' etc. Since we've learned many of those basics already, let's study some that are a bit more sophisticated.

Diagram 1

White 4 is an example of the haengma described by the proverb, ``add a stone and sacrifice both'' when you have stones in atari on the 3rd line. The question at hand is Black's correct answer to White 4. This kind of haengma is not taught by proverbs, but still deserves to be learned.

Diagram 2

If Black simply blocks with 1, it allows White to seal up the outside in sente as shown. This is why White's sacrifice with 4 in Diag.1 is a good move.

Diagram 3

In this case, the diagonal move with 1 is the haengma for Black. If White wants to make an influence as in Diag.2, now he has to spend one more move at 6 to defend the cutting point at A.

Diagram 4

Therefore, White must not be fooled as in Diag.3, but play 2 as here, which is the haengma for White. Owing to this haengma, White can get a sente. However, the result here is far better for Black than the one in Diag.2. Black is now able to play a diagonal haengma with 1.

Diagram 5

Perhaps this one is too easy for you. The question is what is the correct answer against Black 1? Coming down with 2 is obviously not good for White, because he has to add one more move to defend the weakness at A after Black 3.

Diagram 6

To connect at 2 is just a bit better than the descent of Diag.5, since White can get a sente at least. But, it is not good enough yet because the weaknesses A and B still remain for White.

Diagram 7

The haengma for White is to play a tiger's mouth with 1, which protects the cutting point at B in sente. If Black wants to get a sente and go elsewhere, he can give an atari with A, forcing White to connect at B. However, it will leave weaknesses in Black's shape, such as C, and that is why White 1 is the haengma.

I mentioned before that there is no proverb teaching us the two haengmas we've learned in this lesson, but maybe we can make one ourselves.

Because White 1 in

Diag.7 can also be referred to as a diagonal move, not a tiger's mouth, what about 'play a diagonal on the second line to create weaknesses in the opponent's shape?'

The writer is a baduk professor at Myongji University and a professional player of the game.