So I saw this in a couple of pro games on Go4Go.net and liked the way it looked. I've played it in a few games and so far I think it works better in a number of areas the typical Low Chinese is weak. However, I'm no pro and I don't know what the reason behind the different move is, so if someone can explain the reason(s) to me I could know if I actually should be using this move or if I'm misusing it. Here is an example of a pro using this fuseki if you want to see it: http://www.go4go.net/go/games/sgfview/37207
For those that don't know, the normal Low Chinese is played at 'a' for the third move. This is one of the most common professional fuseki nowadays. The High Chinese at 'b' is sometimes also played. However, this move is 1 closer to the bottom than the typical Low Chinese and I've only seen it in a couple of pro games - unlike the dozens of pro games I've looked at with the Low Chinese.
Here are two reason I think it might be better:
1. An approach from the outside will lead to a 5-space extension for black, instead of a 4 space extension. It also makes a white invasion of the corner less of a concern because the outside thickness black gets is farther from
2. Obviously this move more tightly pincers any approach move to the 3-4 stone, but if approached from the outside it has a much more solid long-knight extension instead of a 3-space low extension like in the normal Low Chinese.
The downside, however, is that an approach on the inside of the framework is better for white. First, black cannot kick at 'a' and leave white overconcentrated. White can now get a 3-space extension like he wants. Second, a 1-space low pincer at 'b' does not create a 2-space extension at the same time. Third, if black pulls back to 'c', white is actually able to jump out to the start-point at 'd' from his approach without shoulder hitting a black stone.
What do you guys think of this opening for black? I'm not sure it's amazingly better than the Low Chinese, but I personally really like it.
EDIT: I found another example of this fuseki being used in a professional game between Kim Junghyun 4p and Park Jungwhan 9p. I wanted to note this here for archival purposes. It looks like Park Jungwhan decided to reduce the potential of the bottom by playing a corner enclosure for move 6. And this game as well between Tang Weixing 3p and Tan Xiao 7p. Tan Xiao responds with a classic bottom star point as you would against the standard Low Chinese.
in your diagram), black is at a loss for a suitable continuation."