Chapter III.2 The Ni-Rensei Fuseki

The Ni-rensei pattern

The black line-up on the right hand side is called ni-rensei (two star points). Usually, black's aim in this fuseki is to play a fast paced game. White's first two moves can be anything basically but here we are especially interested in a white ni-rensei as well because this fuseki pattern is quite popular recently.

Various strategies are possible from the position shown in the first diagram. Black can enlarge his area of control with A or immediately build a moyo with B (which would create a so-called san-rensei pattern).

Alternatively, black can make the game small-scale by approaching white's position from the inside with C or D.

Although various other moves have been played in this position the final move which is explicitely shown is black E.
 

A logical approach

Since both black's and white's positions are high they invite to build a moyo (framework) with them. Black 1 in this diagram enlarges black's sphere of influence while reducing white's. In that sense it's a logical approach. When black dislikes white's option to pincer black (with A or B) he could play black 1 at C instead.
 

No fuzzing around

If black's intention is to use his ni-rensei stones to build a framework then black 1 is the clearest move: it creates a so-called san-rensei formation which can be further expanded with moves at A or B. Since the position is symmetrical black is ensured of at least one of them.
 

Kobayashi Satoru's idea

In the starting position black is to move (has sente). Of course black can create a moyo as in the previous diagram but Kobayashi Satoru figured that one should do more with the right to play first in the symmetrical position. Black 1 aims to prevent a white moyo first (while maintaining sente) and then build one himself with A. The fuseki patterns evolving from this move have this idea constantly in mind.
 

Making the opening small scale

If you are not in the mood to play a large scale game (with large moyo's by both white and black) then Black 1 is the move. It splits the left-hand side, preventing white to create a san-rensei and has follow-up's at A. Black is ensured to get at least one of these points so black 1 is a secure invasion in white's sphere of influence.
 

Be inventive

Black 1 was played in a game between the two initiators of the so-called shin-fuseki (new opening) period in Go: Kitani Minoru (as black) and Go Seigen (as white). In a way black 1 makes sense: it is played in the largest available space (which is a good general lead while looking for valuable points in the opening).
 

Request: Milton N. Bradley

Page creation: Jan van der Steen