Fashion is funny.
Yes, this was less in style for a while because in a high komi game, the wedge of
was thought to be an easy way for white to simplify the game:But you may have noticed that
isn't played as much any more (although it hasn't completely disappeared.)This is because players came with some new plans as black that are pretty active and won games, such as this one:
Of course, white can play other ways, but there was an increase in research and experimentation in the past few years.
But you may have noticed that
isn't played as much any more (although it hasn't completely disappeared.)This is because players came with some new plans as black that are pretty active and won games, such as this one:
So white started playing this
instead of the wedge. Then black started exploring a previously rare pincer of 
. That's an essay in itself, but suffice it to say that normal responses from white like taking the corner or jumping are thought to be good for black by many players in this situation. So white developed odd counter-pincers at 
and even 'a', leading to some funny-looking variations. Now it's popular for to just simply keima at 'b', which you'd think would be really slow way of playing in a modern komi game, but if black can find a way to build more or fight---and young pros are pretty good and contriving ways to fight---then it's surprisingly playable. Go figure!
