Difference between revisions of "Forcing moves"

From HexWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 1: Line 1:
A forcing move is a move to which opponent has to answer locally to defend against an immediate threat. This situation occurs if one threatens to cut a connection between major groups or key stones of opponent's.
+
A peep (term borrowed from Go) is a forcing move to which opponent has to answer locally to defend against an immediate threat. This situation occurs if one threatens to cut a connection between major groups or key stones of opponent's. The stone causing this threat is called a peep.
  
Sometimes it's hard to tell if a move is forcing. Example of this is [[Josekis|joseki]].
+
Sometimes it's hard to tell if a move is forcing, i.e. if the peep is correct or wrong. Playing correct peeps is one of the most sophisticated aspects of hex strategy.
  
 
== Example ==
 
== Example ==
Line 9: Line 9:
 
   /><br/>
 
   /><br/>
  
In this position blue player has 2 forcing moves to make - c4 and c3. In case of playing c3, red has to defend with c4. In case of playing c4, red has to defend with c3. Otherwise red loses the game.
+
In this position blue player can play 2 correct peeps - c4 or c3. In case of playing c3, red has to defend with c4. In case of playing c4, red has to defend with c3. Otherwise red loses the game.
  
Notice that moves on a4, a5, f2 and f3 are not forcing. Against a4, a5 red has a choice of playing b5 which improves his position. Similarly, against f2, f3 red should play d2.
+
Notice that moves on a4, a5, f2 and f3 are wrong peeps. Against a4, a5 red has a choice of playing b5 which improves their position. Similarly, against f2, f3 red should play d2.
  
 +
== Crucial peep ==
  
== The point ==
+
There is a great use for playing peeps. In certain conditions a player can benefit from them and claim victory. Look at the following example:
 
+
There is a use for making a forcing move. In certain conditions a player can benefit from it and even a tiny gain may influence who wins the game. Look at the following example:
+
  
 
<hexboard size="9x9"
 
<hexboard size="9x9"
Line 23: Line 22:
 
   /><br/>
 
   /><br/>
  
The only winning move for blue is the forcing move on d6. If blue misses it the game proceeds as follows and the winner is red.
+
The only winning move for blue is the peep on d6. If blue misses it the game proceeds as follows and the winner is red.
  
 
<hexboard size="9x9"
 
<hexboard size="9x9"

Revision as of 15:50, 22 February 2017

A peep (term borrowed from Go) is a forcing move to which opponent has to answer locally to defend against an immediate threat. This situation occurs if one threatens to cut a connection between major groups or key stones of opponent's. The stone causing this threat is called a peep.

Sometimes it's hard to tell if a move is forcing, i.e. if the peep is correct or wrong. Playing correct peeps is one of the most sophisticated aspects of hex strategy.

Example

abcdef123456

In this position blue player can play 2 correct peeps - c4 or c3. In case of playing c3, red has to defend with c4. In case of playing c4, red has to defend with c3. Otherwise red loses the game.

Notice that moves on a4, a5, f2 and f3 are wrong peeps. Against a4, a5 red has a choice of playing b5 which improves their position. Similarly, against f2, f3 red should play d2.

Crucial peep

There is a great use for playing peeps. In certain conditions a player can benefit from them and claim victory. Look at the following example:

abcdefghi123456789

The only winning move for blue is the peep on d6. If blue misses it the game proceeds as follows and the winner is red.

abcdefghi12345678913254768

If d6 is played then blue win.

abcdefghi123456789321