A3 escape trick - Revision history

Selinger: Emphasize that this is a special case of a switchback.

2022-03-16T00:56:58Z

Emphasize that this is a special case of a switchback.

2020-12-19T02:53:39Z

Fixed move numbering

2020-05-30T14:30:03Z

‎Example: Added response to d1.

2020-05-30T14:02:55Z

‎Example

2015-08-29T16:32:20Z

‎Example

2015-08-29T16:32:01Z

correct diagram

2015-08-29T16:18:54Z

‎Example

2015-08-29T16:18:21Z

‎Example

2015-08-22T15:41:15Z

‎Example: fixed misnumbered diagram

2012-11-12T04:58:31Z

changed hex markup

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{wrongtitle|title=a3 escape trick}}
+'''"A3 escape trick"''' is an older name for the [[Switchback#A3 switchback|a3 switchback]]. It dates from a time when this was considered a one-off trick, rather than one of many possible ways of playing a [[switchback]].
-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 edge|top]], it can still be useful as a [[ladder escape]], when handled correctly.
+The a3 escape trick is a way to handle a 3rd row [[ladder]] approaching a red stone on a3 along the top edge. Although a3 is not sufficient as a [[ladder escape]], it can still be used as a [[switchback]], and can help Red connect when handled correctly.
 == Example ==
-Consider the following position, with red to move:
+Consider the following position, with Red to move:
 <hex>

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 <hexboard size="8x8"
     coords="show"
-    contents="B e2 B f2 B g2 B h2 R a3 B 1:d3 R e3 R f3 R g3 R b4 B 3:d4 B e4 R 2:c5 B e5 R f5 R 4:d6 R e6"
+    contents="B e2 B f2 B g2 B h2 R a3 B 6:d3 R e3 R f3 R g3 R b4 B 8:d4 B e4 R 7:c5 B e5 R f5 R 9:d6 R e6"
     />

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 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.
+Blue can also play c3 instead of d3 but the outcome is the same. If Blue plays d1 instead of d3, Red d3 wins locally (i.e., in this case, Red doesn't even require a connection to e6).
 This escape does not always work, as it depends on the [[Board size|size of the board]] and the pieces already on it.

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 == Example ==
-Consider the following position:
+Consider the following position, with red to move:
 <hex>

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
     />
-No matter what Blue plays Red can either connect with the ladder or directly to the bottom.
+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.

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 Blue's only working response is d3, to which Red responds with another bridge:
-<hex>
+<hexboard size="8x8"
-R8 C8 labels
+   coords="show"
-blue g2 h2 e4 e5
+   contents="B e2 B f2 B g2 B h2 R a3 B 1:d3 R e3 R f3 R g3 R b4 B 3:d4 B e4 R 2:c5 B e5 R f5 R 4:d6 R e6"
-red a3 g3 f5 e6
+   />
-play f3 f2 e3 e2 b4
-blue numbered d3 c5
-star d4 d6
-</hex>
 No matter what Blue plays Red can either connect with the ladder or directly to the bottom.

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 Blue can also play c3 instead of d3 but the outcome is the same.
-This escape does not always work, depending on the [[Board size|size of the board]] and the pieces already on it.
+This escape does not always work, as it depends on the [[Board size|size of the board]] and the pieces already on it.
 == See also ==

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 </hex>
-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]]:
+The a3 escape trick consists of laddering to e3 (making a three-hex gap between the ladder and a3) and then connecting to a3 through a [[bridge]]:
 <hex>