Fuseki
Encyclopedia
Go opening theory
In the game of Go, the term opening theory refers to concepts which underlie where, why, in what order, and in what shapes the first several moves are played...
in the game of Go.
Less systematic
Since each move is typically isolated and unforced (i.e. not a sente move), patterns for play on the whole board have seen much less systematic study than for JosekiJoseki
In Go, are studied sequences of moves in the corner areas of the Go board, for which the result is considered balanced for both black and white sides. Because games typically start with plays in the corners, players often try to use their understanding of joseki to gain local advantages in the...
, which are often contact moves which require specific and immediate responses. Hence a game of Go may easily explore an unfamiliar path.
Recognised names
Only a proportion of fusekis have recognised or specific names. These include the two-star fuseki (nirensei fuseki), three-star fuseki (sanrensei fuseki), Chinese fuseki, Kobayashi fuseki, and Shusaku fuseki. To be more precise, these are names for the influential formations which Black makes on one side of the board. Since White has a choice of perhaps two dozen legitimate variations on the other side, these are in fact large complexes of Fusekis.Go vs chess
The patterns of fuseki are not directly analogous to chess openingChess opening
A chess opening is the group of initial moves of a chess game. Recognized sequences of opening moves are referred to as openings as initiated by White or defenses, as created in reply by Black. There are many dozens of different openings, and hundreds of named variants. The Oxford Companion to...
s. It is rather misleading to assume that go players follow set openings in the same way, although they may indeed employ joseki
Joseki
In Go, are studied sequences of moves in the corner areas of the Go board, for which the result is considered balanced for both black and white sides. Because games typically start with plays in the corners, players often try to use their understanding of joseki to gain local advantages in the...
and have favourite patterns.
This is shown in the way openings take their names, for the most part, from the strategy or pattern employed by Black (the first player). Typically there are two dozen or more replies for White 2 and White 4, even restricting the scope to ideas played in high-level games. A fuseki pattern is therefore more like what a chess player would call a complex of openings.
Territorial approach
As played on a large board (ie. the standard 19x19 line goban), traditional wisdom says the priority is to play corner enclosuresJoseki
In Go, are studied sequences of moves in the corner areas of the Go board, for which the result is considered balanced for both black and white sides. Because games typically start with plays in the corners, players often try to use their understanding of joseki to gain local advantages in the...
, then to extend to the middle of the sides, and finally to the center because it is easier to secure territory in the corners than on the sides or in the center. The classical view, particularly for the 3-3, 3-4 or 4-3 point, emphasizes good points to play in the opening because these points ensure larger and/or faster corner enclosure. Higher points are discouraged. This approach has clearer goals (control territory in the corners) and is easier for beginners to grasp and play.
Influence-oriented approach
Unlike the territory-oriented playing style, this approach emphasizes control of the center. The reason for this is that one's play should not be narrowly focused on attempting to secure points quickly by occupying the corners first. Although it requires more effort to secure the center, it constitutes the majority of territory on the board. The key is to build a good framework in order to control the center of the board. Higher points like 4-4, 4-5 or 5-4 are encouraged. Some players occupy the side very quickly in order to build up a good framework, while some place their stones around the center. However, the influence-oriented approach is more abstract and harder for beginners to grasp and play.Pre-20th century
The development of fuseki was very limited in the distant past, because nearly all players' efforts were put into making corner plays and enclosures (JosekiJoseki
In Go, are studied sequences of moves in the corner areas of the Go board, for which the result is considered balanced for both black and white sides. Because games typically start with plays in the corners, players often try to use their understanding of joseki to gain local advantages in the...
). Up till about 1900, professional players made use only of a relatively small proportion of the currently established patterns in the opening. The range of possibilities is great, and the number of game records from high-level play that are actually published is not so large (even now a few thousand a year, only).
First half of 20th century
Fuseki did not see significant improvement until the influence-oriented style of play evolved in the 20th century. Perhaps the most highly regarded pioneer player of the 20th century, Go SeigenGo Seigen
Wu Qingyuan , generally known in the West by his Japanese name Go Seigen, is considered by many players to be the greatest player of the game of Go in the 20th century and of all time.-Biography:...
, created an uproar when he played his third move (black 5) on the tengen, or center point
Tengen (Go)
Tengen is the name of a Go competition in Japan.The name Tengen refers to the center point on a Go board.The event is held annually, and has run continuously since its inauguration in 1975....
in a game against the reigning Honinbo Shusai
Honinbo Shusai
is the professional name of Hoju Tamura, also known as , who was a Japanese professional Go player.- Biography :He was born in Shiba, Tokyo, son of Tamura Yasunaga, a retainer of the shogun. He learned go at age 10 and joined the Hoensha in 1883, then under the leadership of Murase Shuho. He was...
. An unwise move in classical thinking, it was considered an insult to someone of the Honinbo's stature. Go Seigen lost the controversial 4-month game (which is believed to be due to help from one of the Honinbo's students), but proved his ability against high-ranking opponents, even when employing such an unusual strategy.
Second half of 20th century
The concept of influence-oriented play gave birth to many revoluntary fuseki such as the two-star fuseki (nirensei fuseki), three-star fuseki (sanrensei fuseki) and so on. Many similar patterns have been tried and played in modern games.The Chinese fuseki, which has an intricate history but was indeed developed by Chinese players, was very popular from about 1970 onwards, and has by go standards a thoroughly-researched theory.
Since around 1990, there has been a succession of fashionable openings, largely a product of Korean professionals, which have been studied and played in a more chess-like manner (that is, with successive refinements hammered out in high-profile games). This style of innovation is actually something new to the go tradition, however; it is not the traditional way, and there is a large part of go strategy that remains unexplored to that degree of intensity.