Living Cosmos

The topic for discussion is this position right here – http://eidogo.com/#AQPfGG8:0,16

Position 2 is where Yang Yilun would say to play based on his opening principles – it is the first third class move and no first or second class moves are available.

Position 1 is where Shygost would say to play based on his opening principles – it is an approach to that corner. To be fair, the very first thing in Shygost’s list is “issues” – and the left side has issues – open skirts, unsettled groups. But in the opening, you are trying to rapidly sketech out territory and cant afford a gote fix.

Let’s look at the approach:

Now, if you approach the corner and White plays passively, then the common joseki leads to you eventually playing at Position 2 (where Yang Yilun would have you start) – http://eidogo.com/#AQPfGG8:0,0,0,3

But the thing is, a serious White is going to pinch and a position like this might result: http://eidogo.com/#AQPfGG8:0,0,1,1,1

and that is frustrating for Black because he got no corner territory and no side territory.

Now for Yang’s play at the midpoint

From what I can see, no good comes to Black for such a passive move: http://eidogo.com/#h6fDvz:0,1,1