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Two Groups Defense
A very strong and solid opening. White has committed for control over the west flank, which is usually very important in adjacent positions. Black can compensate with the flexibility of their east group combined with the defensive corner stone on a6. White needs to further invest moves if they want to consolidate the western flank, while black can choose from a variety of plans.
Quite offensive choice from White. Cb4 is a very thematic move for Black in these positions. It strengthens Black's west quadrant and annihilates Whites road threats. Usually it is played whenever White threatens to connect his center group south, either with b2 or c2.
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5. c2 Cb4 Both players can take lots of different plans here. Whenever there is a vertical road thread, Black can centralize his Capstone with 1b4>. Sometimes there is an opportunity for Black to isolate the white cornerstone with b1 or b2. Often Black will try to connect his own cornerstone by placing b5. White can push his momentum by starting on a horizontal road, with d5 and Ce4.
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5. d5 c2 Black is given the opportunity to delay whites road threat and immediately capitalizes. White still has momentum for now, but Black has a stronger corner and possible Capstone placement. Position should be equal. One continuation: 6. b3 e5 7. b2
Both players may soon start working on horizontal road threats.
At some point Black will usually try to connect his corner stone (the second "group") with b5, and when necessary play 1b4>. White can choose from different plans, depending on their choice of Capstone placement.
White grabs their key c2 square, holding his momentum and also strengthening their corner. In these positions, Black usually places their Capstone further south (b2 or b3) as their corner is not under attack.
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5. c5 Cb3 White took the key c5 square on Black's side of the board. The Capstone is placed on b3 because White often goes for horizontal road threats on the second rank. The Capstone watches over both of them.
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5. d2
- 4. d5 c5
- 4. d2 d5
- 4. b2 d5