Difference between revisions of "Climbing"

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m (Selinger moved page Zipper to Climbing)
(Renamed "Zipper" as "Climbing", and added zipper as a special case.)
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[[Image: Zipper.png|right|70px]]
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'''Climbing''' means playing a series of [[forcing move]]s by which a player gains significant distance across the board and potentially connects to the opposite edge, by repeatedly threatening to connect to the player's nearby pieces.
A '''zipper''' is a series of [[forcing move]]s by which a player gains significant distance across the board and potentially connects to the opposite edge, by repeatedly threatening to connect to the player's nearby pieces on one side. This results in a sequence of alternating red and blue moves reminiscent of an actual zipper.
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Here is an idealized example. Red to move.
 
Here is an idealized example. Red to move.
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   contents="R e3 e4 d5 d6 c7 c8 B a9 b9 c9 d7 e5 f3 f8 g7 g6 h5 h4 i3"
 
   contents="R e3 e4 d5 d6 c7 c8 B a9 b9 c9 d7 e5 f3 f8 g7 g6 h5 h4 i3"
 
   />
 
   />
Red wins by zippering from e8.
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Red wins by climbing from e8.
 
<hexboard size="9x9"
 
<hexboard size="9x9"
 
   contents="R e3 e4 d5 d6 c7 c8 B a9 b9 c9 d7 e5 f3 f8 g7 g6 h5 h4 i3
 
   contents="R e3 e4 d5 d6 c7 c8 B a9 b9 c9 d7 e5 f3 f8 g7 g6 h5 h4 i3
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Note that every single one of Blue's moves is forced. Although Blue could intrude into some of Red's bridges or other templates, this does not help.
 
Note that every single one of Blue's moves is forced. Although Blue could intrude into some of Red's bridges or other templates, this does not help.
  
Note that the zipper was possible even though Blue seemed to have more strength on the right side of the board than Red. What enables the zipper is the exposed "flank" of unprotected Red pieces that Red can repeatedly threaten to connect to. Potential zippers are often difficult for beginners to spot, and can lead to swift and unexpected defeat. It is therefore a good idea to try to deny the opponent opportunities to zipper.
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Note that climbing was possible even though Blue seemed to have more strength on the right side of the board than Red. What makes climbing work is the exposed "flank" of unprotected Red pieces that Red can repeatedly threaten to connect to. The potential for climbing is often difficult for beginners to spot, and can lead to swift and unexpected defeat. It is therefore a good idea to try to deny the opponent opportunities to climb.
  
 
== Example ==
 
== Example ==
  
Zippers do not always have to proceed by bridges. A combination of bridges and adjacent moves is common. Here is an example from an actual game. Red to move.
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Climbing does not always have to proceed by bridges. A combination of bridges and adjacent moves is common. Here is an example from an actual game. Red to move.
 
<hexboard size="11x11"
 
<hexboard size="11x11"
 
   contents="R c10 e5 e8 f4 f6 h5 i5 B d7 e4 g2 g4 g8 i2 i3"
 
   contents="R c10 e5 e8 f4 f6 h5 i5 B d7 e4 g2 g4 g8 i2 i3"
 
   />
 
   />
Red starts a 3rd row ladder, then immediately jumps and zippers.
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Red starts a 3rd row ladder, then immediately jumps and climbs.
 
<hexboard size="11x11"
 
<hexboard size="11x11"
 
   contents="R c10 e5 e8 f4 f6 h5 i5 B d7 e4 g2 g4 g8 i2 i3
 
   contents="R c10 e5 e8 f4 f6 h5 i5 B d7 e4 g2 g4 g8 i2 i3
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   />
 
   />
 
At this point, Red is connected by an [[interior_template#Interior_templates_from_edge_templates|interior ziggurat]], marked "*", to [[edge template IV2d]]. Blue [[resigning|resigns]].
 
At this point, Red is connected by an [[interior_template#Interior_templates_from_edge_templates|interior ziggurat]], marked "*", to [[edge template IV2d]]. Blue [[resigning|resigns]].
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== Zipper ==
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[[Image: Zipper.png|right|70px]]
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'''Zippering''' is a special case of climbing where the player's threatened connections are all on one side, and the attacker mostly proceeds by bridges. This is called a "zipper" because it vaguely looks like an actual zipper (see the illustration on the right). For example, consider the following position, with Red to move:
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<hexboard size="11x11"
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  contents="R h2 g3 g4 g5 f6 f7 f8 e9 B f3 h3 f5 h7 f9 d9 d11"
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  />
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Red pushes the ladder, jumps, and zippers all the way to the opposite edge.
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<hexboard size="11x11"
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  contents="R h2 g3 g4 g5 f6 f7 f8 e9 B f3 h3 f5 h7 f9 d9 d11
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            R 1:d10 B 2:c11 R 3:b10 B 4:c10 R 5:c8 B 6:e7 R 7:d6 B 8:e6 R 9:e4 B 10:f4 R 11:e3"
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  />

Revision as of 16:05, 29 November 2020

Climbing means playing a series of forcing moves by which a player gains significant distance across the board and potentially connects to the opposite edge, by repeatedly threatening to connect to the player's nearby pieces.

Here is an idealized example. Red to move.

abcdefghi123456789

Red wins by climbing from e8.

abcdefghi1234567897654321

Note that every single one of Blue's moves is forced. Although Blue could intrude into some of Red's bridges or other templates, this does not help.

Note that climbing was possible even though Blue seemed to have more strength on the right side of the board than Red. What makes climbing work is the exposed "flank" of unprotected Red pieces that Red can repeatedly threaten to connect to. The potential for climbing is often difficult for beginners to spot, and can lead to swift and unexpected defeat. It is therefore a good idea to try to deny the opponent opportunities to climb.

Example

Climbing does not always have to proceed by bridges. A combination of bridges and adjacent moves is common. Here is an example from an actual game. Red to move.

abcdefghijk1234567891011

Red starts a 3rd row ladder, then immediately jumps and climbs.

abcdefghijk1234567891011234156789

At this point, Red is connected by an interior ziggurat, marked "*", to edge template IV2d. Blue resigns.

Zipper

Zipper.png

Zippering is a special case of climbing where the player's threatened connections are all on one side, and the attacker mostly proceeds by bridges. This is called a "zipper" because it vaguely looks like an actual zipper (see the illustration on the right). For example, consider the following position, with Red to move:

abcdefghijk1234567891011

Red pushes the ladder, jumps, and zippers all the way to the opposite edge.

abcdefghijk12345678910111191078653412