Life In 19x19

wineandgolover wrote:

SmoothOper wrote: The tengen has multiple functions of course, but is it a serious threat?

Tengen can be used for moyo, but it is potentially even more useful in running battles. It is partially psychological. As black, instead of a single stone, pretend you've made a ponnuki in the middle. Use it for fighting because it cuts off escape routes.

If you just think of it as a ladder breaker, it is most definitely not a good play.

But if it is ladder breaker, plus moyo builder, plus fight assister, then it can be a great move.

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$c Ladder break
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$${AR M3 Q8}
$${AR N16 Q13}
$${AR M8 Q12}[/go]

drmwc wrote:An interesting feature of san-ren-sei is that it breaks all the ladders hitting the side it is on. I think it may be the only 3-move formation with this property. For example, any ladder in the direction of the arrows below will be broken.

I don't think this on its own is a reaon to play san-ren-sei. But it's an interesting feature of this opening.

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$c Ladder break
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$$ ---------------------------------------[/go]

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$c Ladder break
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$$ | . . . , O . . . . 8 6 9 . . . X . . . |
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$$ ---------------------------------------[/go]