Difference between revisions of "Territory"

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The '''territory''' of a [[player]] is usually meant to signify the part of the [[board]] that the player ''controls''. One way to define it is to say that it is the set of [[Hex (board element)|hexes]] occupied by the player, plus those adjacent to cells occupied by the player.
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A [[player]]'s '''territory''' usually refers to the part of the [[board]] that the player controls or has some influence over. One way to define territory is to say that it is the set of [[Hex (board element)|hexes]] occupied by the player, plus any empty hexes adjacent to them.
  
However, it is often better to consider it in a looser sense. For example, if [[Red (player)|Red]] has an [[outpost]] on the [[fourth row]], which can be used as a [[Ladder escape]], it makes sense to consider the area between this and the [[edge]] as Red's territory.
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However, it is often better to consider the idea of territory in a looser sense. We can say that a player has ''influence'' in an area of the board if the player has many potential ways of connecting there. Sometimes even a single stone that doesn't look very useful can increase a player's influence. If a player gains such a stone, we say that the player ''gained some territory''.
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== Example ==
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Consider the following situation, with Red to move.
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<hexboard size="6x7"
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  edges="bottom"
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  coords="none"
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  contents="R d3 e4 B c5 f5 E a:d6 b:c3"
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  />
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Red could simply connect to the edge by playing at "a". However, it is often better for Red to play "b" instead, as this will still connect Red to the edge, but gain some additional territory (namely, more possibilities to connect towards the top).
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== Gaining territory by intrusions ==
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Often a player can gain some useful territory by intruding into the opponent's templates.
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== See also ==
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* [[Minimax|Minimaxing]]
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* [[Tidiness]]
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[[category:strategy]]
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[[category:definition]]

Latest revision as of 22:20, 21 December 2023

A player's territory usually refers to the part of the board that the player controls or has some influence over. One way to define territory is to say that it is the set of hexes occupied by the player, plus any empty hexes adjacent to them.

However, it is often better to consider the idea of territory in a looser sense. We can say that a player has influence in an area of the board if the player has many potential ways of connecting there. Sometimes even a single stone that doesn't look very useful can increase a player's influence. If a player gains such a stone, we say that the player gained some territory.

Example

Consider the following situation, with Red to move.

ba

Red could simply connect to the edge by playing at "a". However, it is often better for Red to play "b" instead, as this will still connect Red to the edge, but gain some additional territory (namely, more possibilities to connect towards the top).

Gaining territory by intrusions

Often a player can gain some useful territory by intruding into the opponent's templates.

See also