Difference between revisions of "Nozoki"

From HexWiki
Redirect page
Jump to: navigation, search
m (typo)
(Changing the direction of the redirect, as the term "peep" seems more common in Hex than "nozoki")
 
Line 1: Line 1:
A '''nozoki''' (term borrowed from Go) or '''peep''' is a [[Forcing moves|forcing move]] to which opponent has just a single answer to defend against an immediate threat. This situation occurs if one threatens to cut a connection between major groups or key stones of the opponent. The stone causing this threat is called a nozoki.
+
#REDIRECT [[Peep]]
 
+
Sometimes it's hard to tell if a move is [[Forcing moves|forcing]], i.e. if the nozoki is correct or wrong. Playing correct nozokis is one of the most sophisticated aspects of Hex strategy.
+
 
+
== Example ==
+
<hexboard size="6x6"
+
  coords="show"
+
  contents="B :d3 R :e4 B :e3 R :b3 B :b4 E *:c4 E *:c3 R c2 d5"
+
  /><br/>
+
 
+
In this position, Red can play 2 '''correct nozokis''' &mdash; c4 or c3. If Red plays c3, Blue must defend with c4. If Red plays c4, Blue must defend with c3. Otherwise, Blue loses the game.
+
 
+
Notice that moves at a4, a5, f2 and f3 are '''wrong nozokis'''. Against a4 or a5, Blue has a choice of playing b5, which potentially improves Blue's position. Similarly, against f2 or f3, Blue should play d2.
+
 
+
== Crucial nozoki ==
+
 
+
Playing nozokis can be very useful. In certain situations, playing a nozoki can make the difference between winning and losing. Consider the following example:
+
 
+
<hexboard size="9x9"
+
  coords="show"
+
  contents="B :h4 R :d4 B :e5 R :g6 B :c6 R g4 B g5 E *:d6"
+
  /><br/>
+
 
+
The only winning move for Red is the nozoki at d6. If Red misses it, the game proceeds as follows and Blue wins:
+
 
+
<hexboard size="9x9"
+
  coords="show"
+
  contents="B :h4 R :d4 B :e5 R :g6 B :c6 R g4 B g5 R 1:f5 B 2:f6 R 3:e6 B 4:d8 R 5:e7 B 6:e9"
+
  /><br/>
+
 
+
If Red starts by playing d6 instead, Red wins.
+
 
+
<hexboard size="9x9"
+
  coords="show"
+
  contents="B :h4 R :d4 B :e5 R :g6 B :c6 R g4 B g5 R 1:d6 B 2:d5 R 3:f5"
+
  /><br/>
+
 
+
== See also: ==
+
 
+
* [[Forcing move]]
+
 
+
[[category: Strategy]]
+
[[category: Definition]]
+

Latest revision as of 06:23, 1 January 2021