Joseki Encyclopedia

Komoku Low Approach One-Space Low Pincer Joseki

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komoku-low-approach-one-space-low-pincer-joseki

Level: beginner/intermediate
Updated: 2026-05-17
Concepts: outside escape · corner value · sacrifice · reading
Tags: joseki · komoku · low-approach · low-pincer · fighting

Lesson board

Komoku, low approach, one-space low pincer.

Lower-left corner

Black reply

The calm answer for the simple line. Black keeps the corner side strong before asking whether the pincer stone can attack.

White plan

The recommended simple plan for kyu play. White stays connected to the outside and avoids a tiny corner-only life.

Sequence

setup

Black 1 komoku, White 2 low approach, Black 3 pincer

The pincer makes White choose between outside movement and a cramped corner life.

Because the komoku stone already sits low, White's immediate corner entry is smaller than in many star-point pincers. The practical first question is how White gets out.

When Black pincers low, do not rush into the corner; keep the approach stone useful.

Playable branches

Later notes

Efficiency

Immediate corner life is too small

White may be able to live in the corner, but the result is low, cramped, and gives up outside value.

The komoku corner is already low; do not spend the first reply living on the first and second lines.

Future follow-up

Cut fights are future reading, not the first baseline

There are direct cut fights after the jump-out plan, but they depend on sequence accuracy and whole-board judgment.

For a first notebook, remember the shape goal before memorizing fighting branches.

Direction

Later side expansion can be big

Once White is out, a later jump toward the open side can limit Black and strengthen whichever nearby stones matter.

After the local stones are stable, compare the side follow-up with the largest move elsewhere.

Mistake map