Lesson 126 : Opening Evolution (2)
By Nam Chi-hyung
The selection of a joseki depends heavily on the circumstance. The meaning of this sentence is not as simple as it appears. In a certain circumstance, even a joseki, which has been discarded for a long time can be revived.
Diagram 1
Black's two-star formation on the right side, and the moves Black 1 and 5, are often used to build up a large framework on the upper side. White's approach with 4 is one of the most often used moves and so is the joseki choice of Black with the pincer as corresponding to the original intention to make influence on the upper side. Of course, the resulting position up to 12 cannot be said to be bad for White, but it is not satisfactory to do what the opponent wants. This kind discontent makes White think up something new, which can substitute for White 2.
Diagram 2
White's pincer with 2 is the best way so far to prevent Black from constructing framework on the upper side. The interesting part of this is the fact that the result of this joseki has been considered to be unfavorable for White for a long time, because White 2 is too close to the strong White's wall so as to be over-concentrated. In the past, a pincer like White 2 was played only when there was an ally on the other side, as we've seen in the upper right corner of Diagram1. However, right after players started playing this pincer to adjust to the present circumstance, namely to stop the apparent intention of the opponent, they became conscious of its real value. That's the reason why you can encounter this joseki in many professional games nowadays.
Diagram 3
Other discoveries followed. The joseki in the right-hand corner has been seldom used before. However, this joseki was found to be well matched with White's position on the left.
Diagram 4
The joseki variation shown in Diagram 3 started to be played because White 3 and 5 here leave holes at A and B. Because of these two weak points, White cannot secure territory on the upper side without additional protecting moves.
Diagram 5
Now, it's time for Black to change. Double-approach with Black 1 is most often used in this situation. White 2 is the correct answer, although there are other options too. I will not include the variations following White 2 here, since there are so many.
Diagram 6
Black doesn't like to let White make a large framework on the upper side, and so he plays the sequence from 1 to 11. After the position on the upper side is temporarily settled down, it's good for White to divide the right side with 12. Even though Black doesn't have any tangible territory yet, the overall situation is not unfavorable for him as he is able to attack White's weak stones in the upper left corner with 15.
The writer is a baduk professor at Myongji University and a professional player of the game.