Difference between revisions of "Bottleneck"

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(Added some info on how blocking and bridge ladders can lead to bottlenecks)
 
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The '''bottleneck''' is a common [[Defense pattern|defense pattern]]. The board fragment below shows a position where the vertical player (red) wants to connect to the bottom, but is being hindered by blue in a bottleneck formation.
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The '''bottleneck''' is a strategic formation in the game of Hex where one player blocks the opponent's progress by occupying key positions on the board, creating a narrow passage that is difficult for the opponent to break through. The board fragment shown below illustrates this concept, with Blue occupying the key positions in a bottleneck formation, hindering Red's ability to connect to the bottom of the board.
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<hexboard size="4x7"
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  coords="none"
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  edges="bottom"
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  visible="area(d1,a4,g4,g1)"
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  contents="R e1 e2 B d2 f2 d4"
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  />
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This formation often leads to a [[ladder]], with Red getting ladders in both directions, as shown in the second board fragment.
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<hexboard size="4x7"
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  coords="none"
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  edges="bottom"
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  visible="area(d1,a4,g4,g1)"
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  contents="R e1 e2 B d2 f2 d4 R 1:d3 B 2:c4 R 3:c3 B 4:b4 R 5:e3 B 6:e4 R 7:f3 B 8:f4"
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  />
  
[[Image:bottleneck.png]]
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The bottleneck is often a result of a defensive maneuver, for example when a player plays a [[Blocking#The near block|near block]] followed by an [[Blocking#The adjacent block|adjacent block]]. It is also a common strategy for leaving a [[Bridge ladder]].
  
<!-- <hex>R5, C5, Vd1, Hb2, Vc2, Hd2, Hb4</hex>-->
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It's important to note that, although the bottleneck can be an effective defense strategy, it also has its own weaknesses and can be exploited by a skilled opponent. Knowing how to both create and counter bottleneck formations is an important aspect of mastering the game of Hex.
  
The bottleneck formation invariably leads to a [[Ladder|ladder]] situation.
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== See also ==
  
== Bottlenecks with bridges ==
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* [[Blocking]]
 
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* [[Bridge ladder]]
<hex>R4, C4,
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Hb1 Vc1 Hd1
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    Hb4</hex>
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<hex>R4, C6,
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    Vd1
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Hb2      He2
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  Hb4</hex>
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[[category:strategy]]
 
[[category:strategy]]
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[[category:definition]]

Latest revision as of 02:30, 10 May 2024

The bottleneck is a strategic formation in the game of Hex where one player blocks the opponent's progress by occupying key positions on the board, creating a narrow passage that is difficult for the opponent to break through. The board fragment shown below illustrates this concept, with Blue occupying the key positions in a bottleneck formation, hindering Red's ability to connect to the bottom of the board.

This formation often leads to a ladder, with Red getting ladders in both directions, as shown in the second board fragment.

31574268

The bottleneck is often a result of a defensive maneuver, for example when a player plays a near block followed by an adjacent block. It is also a common strategy for leaving a Bridge ladder.

It's important to note that, although the bottleneck can be an effective defense strategy, it also has its own weaknesses and can be exploited by a skilled opponent. Knowing how to both create and counter bottleneck formations is an important aspect of mastering the game of Hex.

See also