A3 escape trick

The term a3 escape trick denotes the fact that though a red piece on a3 is not part of an edge template to the top, it can still be useful as a ladder escape, when handled correctly.

Consider the following position:

R8 C8 Q1 Va3 Vg3 Vf5 Hg2 Hh2 He4 He5 Ve6

The a3 escape trick consists of laddering to e3 (making a three-hex gap between the ladder and a3) and then connecting a3 through a bridge:

R8 C8 Q1 Va3 Vg3 Vf5 Hg2 Hh2 He4 He5 Ve6  Vf3 Hf2 Ve3 He2 Vb4

Blue's only working response is d3, to which Red responds with another bridge:

R8 C8 Q1 Va3 Vg3 Vf5 Hg2 Hh2 He4 He5 Ve6  Vf3 Hf2 Ve3 He2 Vb4   Hd3 Vc5

No matter what Blue plays Red can either connect with the ladder or directly to the bottom.

Blue can also play c3 instead of d3 but the outcome is the same.

This escape does not always work, depending on the size of the board and the pieces already on it.