BoxTheory: Melding Eastern & Western approaches(3)

Beomgeun(Evan)Cho 7Dan

 A box in an enclosure, a means of separating what is inside from what is outside. The boxes we encounterin daily life are solid on all sides, on the top and the bottom. Each part ofthe box is identical to the others, of uniform strength, thickness and consistency. This makes sense, for these boxes are meant to hold things within, to preserve and protect them. And if we're really concerned about the stuff we have placed inside, we seal the box shut.

 The boxes on a Go board are different, for they are meant to keep things out. Their sole purpose is to prevent opposing stones from successfully invading your box. This means that a Go box doesn't have to be perfectly solid and of even consistency on all sides, and need not be sealed shut. It can even have gaping holes and still be a strong box, so long as it is solid enough to prevent a successful invasion.

 Unlike the boxes of daily life, Go boxes do not come ready-made. Instead, they are created as we play and, even as we race to build our own boxes, we try to destroy the opponent's boxes. All the while, of course, he is trying to do the same thing. Thus, it's not enough to know what a box is, and to be able to recognize it once it has arisen. You must learn how to create, enlarge and perfect your boxes from the moment you set down your very first stone.

 Let's look at the four types of go boxes: Sealed, Closed, Open, and Open With a Strong Wall. I'll examine each type box in detail once they have all been introduced.

   1.Sealed Box – This is the perfect box, for it cannot be successfully invaded. Even though there may be a large amount of apparently susceptible territory within a Sealed Box, its walls are strong, there is no escape route for the invading stones, and there are no weak points that can be probed in sente, allowing the invader to build up strength within the box. Even a corner invasion will fail. If your opponent has a Sealed Box, don't even try to invade. If you have a Sealed Box, don't waste any time fortifying it further. It is impregnable; play elsewhere. If your opponent wishes to invade your Sealed Box, so much the better for you, for you may be able to profit from his greed.

 Here are some examples of the Sealed Box:

 
    2. Closed Box – This box is similar to the Sealed Box, with strong walls, no escape route for the invading stones, no weak points that can be probed in sente, and possibly alarge amount of territory within. However, the corner invasion is stillpossible, or perhaps there is some aji, some potential danger lurking in theform of an opponent's stone that seems dead, but may still create trouble if you do not properly respond to your opponent's attempt to resurrect it. If your opponent has a Closed Box, the only attacks you should contemplate are, 1) acorner invasion, 2) a defect in the stones comprising the box, 3) possibly reviving your dead stones in a coordinated attempt to survive. Any other invasion is simply a gift to your opponent, for as you flail around in a desperate attempt to live, he will calmly squash your invasion and be left with a stronger position than before. If you have a Closed Box, your only concern is whether to play the single move or two necessary to eliminate the possibilityof a successful attack or invasion. Otherwise, don't make any moves in an attempt to make the box stronger than it is, for it is already strong enough.
 Here are some examples of the Closed Box:

   
    3. Open Box – An open box isan invitation to action, for it has multiple invasion points, along with one ormore escape routes. There are also weaknesses that can be used for sente moves, and a strong possibility of making a base. Finally, there is no strong wallnearby to use against the invading stones. If your opponent has an Open Box, feel free to invade—and depending on the situation, you may be able to invadequite deeply. The only issues are the best place, and best time, to invade. If you have an Open Box, prepare to be invaded.
 Here are some examples of the Open Box:

 
    4.Open Box with a Strong Wall – This is a stronger version of the Open Box, the difference being the presence of a strong wall, either as part of the box, or nearby. Although the presence of the wall does not eliminate invasion andescape routes, and does not prevent an invader from creating a base, it servesas a powerful weapon to use against the attacker. The wall increases the oddsthat the defender can either smother the attack or force the attacker to run,and then profit from the mad dash to escape. If your opponent has an Open Box with a Strong Wall, you can consider invading. However, it's usually best to either keep the invasion "lite," or simply try to reduce. If you have such abox, consider whether you wish to expend a few moves closing the box, or whether it would be advantageous to allow your opponent to invade, and use thestrength of your wall to punish your opponent.
 Here are some examples of the Open Box with Wall:

 I introduced the Open Box before the Open Box With a Strong Wall, which might give the impression that the former is moresolid than the later. That is not the case. The weakest box, that is, the one most susceptible to successful invasion, in the Open Box. The Open Box with a Strong Wall is less susceptible, the Closed Box even less so, while the SealedBox is absolutely impregnable. We will take a closer look at each of the boxes, beginning with the Open Box.

To be continued