I've been playing a lot of handicap 9x9 games and found myself struggling with a relatively simple corner sequence. Responding to the white invasion, I try playing the cut at 4:

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[go]$$W
$$ --------
$$ . . . . . |
$$ . . 1 4 . |
$$ . 2 X 3 . |
$$ . . . . . |[/go]

In a larger game, where the handicap stone would be at the 4-4 point, I have room to extend the cutting stone. But because the cutting stone is on the second line, extending 4 doesn't work.

Because the cut would be on the second line, should I not be cutting in this scenario? What is a typical way to deal with the approach at 1?

2 is fine (of course, subject to surrounding as always), but 4 should be hane on outside.

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[go]$$W
$$ --------
$$ . . . . . |
$$ . . 1 . . |
$$ . 2 X 3 . |
$$ . . . 4 . |[/go]

Btw, your 4 isn't that bad either - just make sure to extend once if opponent plays atari to deny easy life in corner.

does work, but playing on the outside is easier.

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[go]$$W
$$ --------
$$ . . 7 6 9 |
$$ . 0 1 4 5 |
$$ . 2 X 3 . |
$$ . . . 8 . |[/go]

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[go]$$W
$$ --------
$$ . . . 5 9 |
$$ . 8 1 4 6 |
$$ . 2 X 3 7 |
$$ . . . 0 . |[/go]

_________________
Still officially AGA 5d but I play so irregularly these days that I am probably only 3d or 4d over the board (but hopefully still 5d in terms of knowledge, theory and the ability to contribute).

The OP is struggling with the concept that the cutting stone can be forcibly captured, making it a bad move. Let's not confuse him with situations where a deliberate sacrifice might be good.

Move the position up one line and away from the corner. Can you see that the cutting stone can again be forcibly captured? This is a more difficult problem, but it comes up frequently in every game. Try playing out some sequences to prove to yourself that W can capture .

(There are special cases where this might be a reasonable move for B anyway, but generally you do not want to cut if your cutting stone can be captured.)

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$B
$$ --------
$$ . . . . . . . . . |
$$ . . . . . . . . . |
$$ . O O O O 1 . . . |
$$ . X X X X O . . . |
$$ . . . . . . . . . |
$$ . . . . . . . . . |[/go]