Chapter III.2 The Kobayashi Fuseki

Main line

This position is the main line in the Kobayashi fuseki. With 7 black invites white to play kakari at A which black will reply with B which induces white C enabling black to create territory at the bottom with D.

This fuseki pattern was not invented by Kobayashi Koichi but he was the most prominent player employing this pattern in top-title matches so soon the pattern became known as the Kobayashi Fuseki. This all happening in the 1980-1990 decade.
More recently Chang Hao the Chinese top pro is seen to employ this pattern frequently.
 

Nearly the same

Of course, the exact position of white 6 is not important. The white ikken-tobi is played frequently as well although a little less than the keima in the main line.
 

White adjusts her strategy

Since the normal kakari at A would be according to black's plan white usually keeps a little distance with 8 as in this diagram.
 

Preventing the Kobayashi pattern

With 6 white prevents the Kobayashi pattern altogether. Also this pattern is quite popular.
 

Request: Larry Russ

Page creation: Jan van der Steen