Out of luck, I have just played my third game as white, against a black nirensei. My answer has been a nirensei of my own, and the games turned into nasty fights, the killer the winner. I don't like this kind of style, but I'm always puzzled with what to do as white against a star point. 3-4, 4-3? I feel low as white when playing like this. But I don't like playing in a nirensei vs nirensei (or worse, sanrensei vs sanrensei). It's not like I can't win, it's just that I don't feel comfortable during the opening, and with the middle game that results. I'm bad at using influence (the reason I'm choosing these moves lately is to improve that, so far, no improvements) and this shows in my *rensei games. Suggestions?

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Geek of all trades, master of none: the motto for my blog mostlymaths.net

As white, I started to answer the nirensei with an opposing 3-4.



the rationale being that I feel comfortable whenever black tries to approach that corner, as I like to play loose pincers.
But it's really a matter of choice and whatever makes you more comfortable, as "any" move you play right now is certainly playable. I believe you must think about this position for a while in order to realize what gamestyle suits you better.

I do the same as uPWarrior, but I do like the kosumi, or the knight's (x) move more than a pincer.
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The reason is that White can play at 'a' next.
'b', 'c', and 'd' are also moves I like to play instead of 'a'. It depends all on how Black responds to the kosumi.
If Black plays 'e' now you can press at 'f' or a pincer around 'g', or play 'd'.
That's my way of playing against Nirensei, I don't know if it's god or bad but I can say that I feel most comfortable with this. It's all about playing your 'own' game, so winning or losing dosn't matter, play what you enjoy.