Intermediate (strategy guide) - Revision history

Selinger: Fixed link

2022-05-18T01:56:24Z

Fixed link

Selinger: Added a link to the original.

2022-02-09T00:56:47Z

Added a link to the original.

Selinger: /* Loose connections */ minor typo.

2021-09-12T01:42:50Z

‎Loose connections: minor typo.

Selinger: minor edit (forking ladder escape -> ladder escape fork)

2021-09-05T15:21:24Z

minor edit (forking ladder escape -> ladder escape fork)

Selinger: Updated some links.

2021-06-20T21:37:13Z

Updated some links.

Selinger: Converted a few diagrams to the new hexboard diagrams.

2021-03-09T04:16:13Z

Converted a few diagrams to the new hexboard diagrams.

Selinger: Modernized terminology: two-bridges and two-chains are now called "bridges"

2021-03-09T04:03:39Z

Modernized terminology: two-bridges and two-chains are now called "bridges"

Show changes

Pworth: /* Conclusion */

2016-09-13T11:06:09Z

‎Conclusion

Richyfourtytwo: changing the template names to standards and adding links

2016-05-13T19:13:57Z

changing the template names to standards and adding links

Roland Illig: /* Minimal edge templates / B ->

2010-06-12T22:36:58Z

‎Minimal edge templates: B -> *

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
    />
-The [[piece]]s of the loose connection [[threat]]en to connect via a bridge plus an adjacent step [[Multiple threats|in two different ways]] &mdash; by playing at either of the marked hexes. Also, the two marked hexes are the only ones that are in the [[overlapping connections|overlap]] of the two [[Template|connection patterns]]. Thus, to break a loose connection, one must play in one of the marked hexes.
+The [[piece]]s of the loose connection [[threat]]en to connect via a bridge plus an adjacent step [[double threats|in two different ways]] &mdash; by playing at either of the marked hexes. Also, the two marked hexes are the only ones that are in the [[overlapping connections|overlap]] of the two [[Template|connection patterns]]. Thus, to break a loose connection, one must play in one of the marked hexes.
 Another connection pattern that is useful to be aware of is two pieces in the same row or column that are three hexes apart.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:56, 9 February 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	''Adapted with permission from Glenn C. Rhoads strategy guide.''	+	''Adapted with permission from [http://www.gcrhoads.byethost4.com/GamesPuzzles/Intermediate.html Glenn C. Rhoads's intermediate strategy guide].''

	== Loose connections ==		== Loose connections ==

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 ''(See also the article [[Loose connection]])''
-[[Adjacent move]]s provide a guaranteed connection but cover little ground. [[bridge]]s cover twice the distance and are almost as strong. The next best connection when even more distance is required is called the '''loose connection''' &mdash; a [[Hex (board element)|hex]] that is a bridge plus an adjacent step away.
+[[Adjacent move]]s provide a guaranteed connection but cover little ground. [[Bridge]]s cover twice the distance and are almost as strong. The next best connection when even more distance is required is called the '''loose connection''' &mdash; a [[Hex (board element)|hex]] that is a bridge plus an adjacent step away.
 <hexboard size="2x3"

@@ Line 161: / Line 161: @@
 <hex>R9 C9 Q1 Vg3 Vf4 Vf5 Vg5 Vh6 Vh7 Hc6 Hd6 He7 Hf7 Hg7 Hi7 Hg9 +c7 +b8 +c8 +d8 +a9 +b9 +c9 +d9 Md7</hex>
-Red has just played a forking ladder escape at d7. This piece is connected to the edge via template IIIa as shown by the marked hexes. Red is threatening to create an unbeatable chain by playing at E6 and the edge template is a valid ladder escape for the row-2 ladder starting G8, F9, F8, etc. To stop this, Blue needs to play a move that blocks the ladder path from connecting to the escape piece and that also intrudes on the escape template. Blue can achieve both aims by playing at D8 (which is adjacent to the escape piece). Red responds by playing C8 re-establishing the connection to the edge (there is nothing better). Now Blue continues by playing E6 blocking the forking path obtaining a [[win|winning position]].
+Red has just played a ladder escape fork at d7. This piece is connected to the edge via template IIIa as shown by the marked hexes. Red is threatening to create an unbeatable chain by playing at E6 and the edge template is a valid ladder escape for the row-2 ladder starting G8, F9, F8, etc. To stop this, Blue needs to play a move that blocks the ladder path from connecting to the escape piece and that also intrudes on the escape template. Blue can achieve both aims by playing at D8 (which is adjacent to the escape piece). Red responds by playing C8 re-establishing the connection to the edge (there is nothing better). Now Blue continues by playing E6 blocking the forking path obtaining a [[win|winning position]].
 <hex>R9 C9 Q1 Vg3 Vf4 Vf5 Vg5 Vh6 Vh7 Hc6 Hd6 Hd8 He6 He7 Hf7 Hg7 Hi7 Hg9 Md7 Md8 Mc8 Me6</hex>
@@ Line 169: / Line 169: @@
 <hex>R9 C9 Q1 Vg3 Vf4 Vf5 Vg5 Vh6 Vh7 Hc6 Hd6     Hf7 Hg7 Hi7 Hg9 +c7 +b8 +c8 +d8 +a9 +b9 +c9 +d9 Md7</hex>
-This change may look inconsequential but now Blue cannot foil the forking ladder escape. Suppose the play goes d8, c8, e6 as before.
+This change may look inconsequential but now Blue cannot foil the ladder escape fork. Suppose the play goes d8, c8, e6 as before.
 <hex>R9 C9 Q1 Vg3 Vf4 Vf5 Vg5 Vh6 Vh7 Hc6 Hd6     Hf7 Hg7 Hi7 Hg9 Md7 Md8 Mc8 Me6</hex>
@@ Line 177: / Line 177: @@
 <hex>R9 C9 Q1 Vg3 Vf4 Vf5 Vg5 Vh6 Vh7 Hc6 Hd6     Hf7 Hg7 Hi7 Hg9 Md7 Md8 Mc8 Me6 Mg8 Mf9 Mf8 Me9 Me8</hex>
-Now if Blue stops the e8 piece from connecting to the [[Bottom edge|bottom]] by playing d9, Red responds by playing e7 connecting to the bottom anyway. This example illustrates that a potential foiling move that leaves vulnerable points is unlikely to succeed against a forking ladder escape. The proper handling of ladders and ladder escapes is a complex matter and it is where many games are won or lost.
+Now if Blue stops the e8 piece from connecting to the [[Bottom edge|bottom]] by playing d9, Red responds by playing e7 connecting to the bottom anyway. This example illustrates that a potential foiling move that leaves vulnerable points is unlikely to succeed against a ladder escape fork. The proper handling of ladders and ladder escapes is a complex matter and it is where many games are won or lost.
 === Pre-ladder formations ===

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 For templates farther away, the general strategy to apply when the opponent intrudes on the template is to make a move in the template that reduces to a smaller and closer template.
-=== [[Template IIIa|Template III-1-a]] ===
+=== [[Ziggurat|Template III1a]] ===
 ''(Also called [[Ziggurat]])''
@@ Line 75: / Line 75: @@
 If the opponent intrudes on the template, then Red plays at a or b, achieving [[template II]].  Since the a template and the bridge/b template combination don't overlap, the opponent cannot stop both.  (This template also exists in a mirror image form).
-=== [[Defending_against_intrusions_in_template_1-IIIb|Template III-1-b]] ===
+=== [[Edge template III1b|Template III1b]] ===
 <hexboard size="3x5"
@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 The shaded hex in the above diagram is not part of the minimal template and can be occupied by a blue piece without disturbing the red piece's connection to the bottom edge. An intrusion can be met by two chaining either left/down or right/down to edge template II.  The two bridge/edge template II combinations do not overlap, hence blue cannot stop both threats.
-=== [[Defending_against_intrusions_in_template_1-IVa|Template IV-1-a]] ===
+=== [[Edge template IV1a|Template IV1a]] ===
 <hexboard size="4x7"
@@ Line 97: / Line 97: @@
 In all cases, an intrusion can be met by reducing to a smaller edge template either by stepping one hex or by bridging.
-=== [[Defending_against_intrusions_in_template_IVb|Template IV-1-b]] ===
+=== [[Edge template IV1b|Template IV1b]] ===
 <hexboard size="4x8"

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 [[Adjacent move]]s provide a guaranteed connection but cover little ground. [[bridge]]s cover twice the distance and are almost as strong. The next best connection when even more distance is required is called the '''loose connection''' &mdash; a [[Hex (board element)|hex]] that is a bridge plus an adjacent step away.
-<hex>R4 C5 Vb2 Sc2 Sc3 Vd3</hex>
+<hexboard size="2x3"
 The [[piece]]s of the loose connection [[threat]]en to connect via a bridge plus an adjacent step [[Multiple threats|in two different ways]] &mdash; by playing at either of the marked hexes. Also, the two marked hexes are the only ones that are in the [[overlapping connections|overlap]] of the two [[Template|connection patterns]]. Thus, to break a loose connection, one must play in one of the marked hexes.
@@ Line 12: / Line 16: @@
 Another connection pattern that is useful to be aware of is two pieces in the same row or column that are three hexes apart.
-<hex>R5 C6 Sd2 Vb3 Pc3 Pd3 Ve3 Sc4</hex>
+<hexboard size="3x4"
 The pieces threaten to connect via 2 bridge steps in two different ways, namely by playing at piece at one of the hexes marked with a *. There are two hexes that are in the overlap between these two connection threats and a move played in either of them breaks the immediate connection (these two hexes are marked with a +). This connection pattern is not as strong as the loose connection.
@@ Line 35: / Line 44: @@
 Trivially, a piece on an edge row (labelled "1" in the diagram) is connected to the edge.
-<hex>R2 C3 Q1 1:*R* 2:*R* R1b2</hex>
+<hexboard size="1x1"
 === [[Template II]] ===
-<hex>R3 C4 Q1 1:**R* 2:**R* 3:*__*</hex>
+<hexboard size="2x2"
 If the opponent plays inside the template, [[Red (player)|Red]] plays the other move in the template restoring the connection to the edge.
@@ Line 48: / Line 66: @@
 ''(Also called [[Ziggurat]])''
-<hex>
+<hexboard size="3x4"
-R4 C6 Q1
+  visible="area(a3,d3,d1,c1)"
-:***R**
+  edges="bottom"
-:***R_*
+  coords="none"
-:**+_+*
+  contents="R c1 E a:b2 b:d2"
-:*____*
+/>
-</hex>
-If the opponent intrudes on the template, then Red plays at one of the two marked points achieving [[template II]].  Since the c3 template and the bridge/e3 template combination don't overlap, the opponent cannot stop both.  (This template exists in a mirror image form with the red piece at e2).
+If the opponent intrudes on the template, then Red plays at a or b, achieving [[template II]].  Since the a template and the bridge/b template combination don't overlap, the opponent cannot stop both.  (This template also exists in a mirror image form).
 === [[Defending_against_intrusions_in_template_1-IIIb|Template III-1-b]] ===
-<!--<hex>R3 C5 Vd1 Sa1 Sa2 Sb1 Sc3</hex>-->
+<hexboard size="3x5"
-The clear hex in the above diagram is not part of the minimal template and can be occupied by a blue piece without disturbing the red piece's connection to the bottom edge. An intrusion can be met by two chaining either left/down or right/down to edge template II.  The two bridge/edge template II combinations do not overlap, hence blue cannot stop both threats.
+The shaded hex in the above diagram is not part of the minimal template and can be occupied by a blue piece without disturbing the red piece's connection to the bottom edge. An intrusion can be met by two chaining either left/down or right/down to edge template II.  The two bridge/edge template II combinations do not overlap, hence blue cannot stop both threats.
 === [[Defending_against_intrusions_in_template_1-IVa|Template IV-1-a]] ===
-[[Image:Template-1-4a.png]]
-<!--<hex>R4 C7 Ve1 Sa1 Sa2 Sa3 Sb1 Sb2 Sc1 Sd1 Sg1</hex>-->
+<hexboard size="4x7"
 In all cases, an intrusion can be met by reducing to a smaller edge template either by stepping one hex or by bridging.
 === [[Defending_against_intrusions_in_template_IVb|Template IV-1-b]] ===
-Again, the clear hex is not part of the template and may be occupied by a blue piece without disturbing the connection to the bottom.  An intrusion can be met by two chaining either left/down or right/down to edge template IIIa.  The two bridge/edge template IIIa combinations do not overlap, hence blue cannot stop both.
+<hexboard size="4x8"
 === See also ===

@@ Line 295: / Line 295: @@
 The first two strategy guides cover what I consider to be the fundamentals of [[strategy|hex strategy]]. This information should be enough to move up into the 1800s or 1900s on [[PlaySite]]. To move up the ranks of the red guys (the topmost group) requires the following. First you need to improve your [[opening play]]. Playing any reasonable looking moves during the initial phase of the game is enough for an orange player, but to compete with the reds, you need to [[Consistency|consistently]] play one of the top two or maybe three moves. Unfortunately, I don't know a good way to describe how to do this; I'm not convinced the necessary information can be verbalized. After that, you need to know the [[Minimax]] principle (described in the [[Advanced (strategy guide)|Advanced strategy guide]]).
-Also you need a certain mindset, call it [[willpower]] if you like, to move towards the top ranks. You have to try to hold onto every little [[Hex (board element)|hex]] the way a miser hoards gold pieces and you have use every optimization you can no matter how minor it may seem. The most useful optimizations, tricks, and special situations that I've learned so far are included in the Advanced strategy guide. But surely there are other things out there waiting to be discovered.
+Also you need a certain mindset, call it determination if you like, to move towards the top ranks. You have to try to hold onto every little [[Hex (board element)|hex]] the way a miser hoards gold pieces and you have use every optimization you can no matter how minor it may seem. The most useful optimizations, tricks, and special situations that I've learned so far are included in the Advanced strategy guide. But surely there are other things out there waiting to be discovered.
 == See also ==

@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 For templates farther away, the general strategy to apply when the opponent intrudes on the template is to make a move in the template that reduces to a smaller and closer template.
-=== [[Template IIIa]] ===
+=== [[Template IIIa|Template III-1-a]] ===
 ''(Also called [[Ziggurat]])''
@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 If the opponent intrudes on the template, then Red plays at one of the two marked points achieving [[template II]].  Since the c3 template and the two-chain/e3 template combination don't overlap, the opponent cannot stop both.  (This template exists in a mirror image form with the red piece at e2).
-=== Template IIIb ===
+=== [[Defending_against_intrusions_in_template_1-IIIb|Template III-1-b]] ===
 [[Image:Template-1-3b.png]]
@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 The clear hex in the above diagram is not part of the minimal template and can be occupied by a blue piece without disturbing the red piece's connection to the bottom edge. An intrusion can be met by two chaining either left/down or right/down to edge template II.  The two two-chain/edge template II combinations do not overlap, hence blue cannot stop both threats.
-=== Template IVa ===
+=== [[Defending_against_intrusions_in_template_1-IVa|Template IV-1-a]] ===
 [[Image:Template-1-4a.png]]
 <!--<hex>R4 C7 Ve1 Sa1 Sa2 Sa3 Sb1 Sb2 Sc1 Sd1 Sg1</hex>-->
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 In all cases, an intrusion can be met by reducing to a smaller edge template either by stepping one hex or by two-chaining.
-=== Template IVb ===
+=== [[Defending_against_intrusions_in_template_IVb|Template IV-1-b]] ===
 [[Image:Template-1-4b.png]]
 <!--<hex>R4 C8 Vf1 Sa1 Sa2 Sa3 Sb1 Sb2 Sc1 Sd1 Sh1 Se3</hex>-->