Tips pente - Revision history

Sammy McSam: removing "|" in external links

2022-09-17T15:30:49Z

removing "|" in external links

Sammy McSam: Mostly aesthetic edits

2022-09-16T22:09:39Z

Mostly aesthetic edits

Show changes

Watsu: /* Opening Strategy */

2022-09-16T15:07:11Z

Opening Strategy

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:07, 16 September 2022
Line 87:		Line 87:
	3. If white's stones are placed too far apart from each other and black's stone(s), black can often build potentials and shapes as though s(he) were white, because white will end up with at least one stranded stone which won't affect the game. As an extreme case, consider two white stones in opposite corners of the board with one black stone in the center. White's stones are both useless for defending against black, and black is essentially the first player with two moves in the center before white can defend.		3. If white's stones are placed too far apart from each other and black's stone(s), black can often build potentials and shapes as though s(he) were white, because white will end up with at least one stranded stone which won't affect the game. As an extreme case, consider two white stones in opposite corners of the board with one black stone in the center. White's stones are both useless for defending against black, and black is essentially the first player with two moves in the center before white can defend.

	4. Unlike in the Pro and Long Pro opening rules, white doesn't have the ability to choose the optimal placement of the second stone for handling black's first stone, so there is no hard and fast rule regarding how near or how far away from each other white's stones can be from each other before a position changes from a sure win for white to a sure win for black. There are definitely some suboptimal second stone white placements three intersections away from the center which can result in a first player loss, given an optimal placement of a black stone in the proposal. There may even be some second white stone placements which are closer than three intersections from the center which don't create a pair with the first stone and yet are still first player losses. On the other hand, certain specific second white stone placememts may prevail against certain black stones even though they are as far away from the center as six intersections. There hasn't been sufficient study of all possible opening proposals with a white stone in the center of the board to make a general ~~statement~~ such as more proposals with a Long Pro opening for white lose than win (although that is likely to be the case) or more proposals with a Pro (or closer) opening for white win than lose for white (also likely to be true).		4. Unlike in the Pro and Long Pro opening rules, white doesn't have the ability to choose the optimal placement of the second stone for handling black's first stone, so there is no hard and fast rule regarding how near or how far away from each other white's stones can be from each other before a position changes from a sure win for white to a sure win for black. There are definitely some suboptimal second stone white placements three intersections away from the center which can result in a first player loss, given an optimal placement of a black stone in the proposal. There may even be some second white stone placements which are closer than three intersections from the center which don't create a pair with the first stone and yet are still first player losses. On the other hand, certain specific second white stone placememts may prevail against certain black stones even though they are as far away from the center as six intersections. There hasn't been sufficient study of all possible opening proposals with a white stone in the center of the board to make a general statements such as more proposals with a Long Pro opening for white lose than win for white (although that is likely to be the case) or more proposals with a Pro (or closer) opening for white win than lose for white (also likely to be true).

	5. If either player's stones are placed next to each other, they form a pair which can be threatened with a capture, which generally weakens the position for that player.		5. If either player's stones are placed next to each other, they form a pair which can be threatened with a capture, which generally weakens the position for that player.

Watsu: /* Opening Strategy */

2022-09-16T15:04:28Z

Opening Strategy

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:04, 16 September 2022
Line 87:		Line 87:
	3. If white's stones are placed too far apart from each other and black's stone(s), black can often build potentials and shapes as though s(he) were white, because white will end up with at least one stranded stone which won't affect the game. As an extreme case, consider two white stones in opposite corners of the board with one black stone in the center. White's stones are both useless for defending against black, and black is essentially the first player with two moves in the center before white can defend.		3. If white's stones are placed too far apart from each other and black's stone(s), black can often build potentials and shapes as though s(he) were white, because white will end up with at least one stranded stone which won't affect the game. As an extreme case, consider two white stones in opposite corners of the board with one black stone in the center. White's stones are both useless for defending against black, and black is essentially the first player with two moves in the center before white can defend.

	4. Unlike in the Pro and Long Pro opening rules, white doesn't have the ability to choose the optimal placement of the second stone for handling black's first stone, so there is no hard and fast rule regarding how near or how far away from each other white's stones can be from each other before a position changes from a sure win for white to a sure win for black. There are definitely some suboptimal second stone white placements three intersections away from the center which can result in a first player loss, given an optimal placement of a black stone in the proposal. There may even be some second white stone placements which are closer than three intersections from the center which don't create a pair with the first stone and yet are still first player losses. On the other hand, certain specific second white stone placememts may prevail against certain black stones even though they are as far away from the center as six intersections.		4. Unlike in the Pro and Long Pro opening rules, white doesn't have the ability to choose the optimal placement of the second stone for handling black's first stone, so there is no hard and fast rule regarding how near or how far away from each other white's stones can be from each other before a position changes from a sure win for white to a sure win for black. There are definitely some suboptimal second stone white placements three intersections away from the center which can result in a first player loss, given an optimal placement of a black stone in the proposal. There may even be some second white stone placements which are closer than three intersections from the center which don't create a pair with the first stone and yet are still first player losses. On the other hand, certain specific second white stone placememts may prevail against certain black stones even though they are as far away from the center as six intersections. There hasn't been sufficient study of all possible opening proposals with a white stone in the center of the board to make a general statement such as more proposals with a Long Pro opening for white lose than win (although that is likely to be the case) or more proposals with a Pro (or closer) opening for white win than lose for white (also likely to be true).

	5. If either player's stones are placed next to each other, they form a pair which can be threatened with a capture, which generally weakens the position for that player.		5. If either player's stones are placed next to each other, they form a pair which can be threatened with a capture, which generally weakens the position for that player.

Watsu: Added an additional tip to the swap opening proposal strategy section

2022-09-16T14:52:36Z

Added an additional tip to the swap opening proposal strategy section

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:52, 16 September 2022
Line 87:		Line 87:
	3. If white's stones are placed too far apart from each other and black's stone(s), black can often build potentials and shapes as though s(he) were white, because white will end up with at least one stranded stone which won't affect the game. As an extreme case, consider two white stones in opposite corners of the board with one black stone in the center. White's stones are both useless for defending against black, and black is essentially the first player with two moves in the center before white can defend.		3. If white's stones are placed too far apart from each other and black's stone(s), black can often build potentials and shapes as though s(he) were white, because white will end up with at least one stranded stone which won't affect the game. As an extreme case, consider two white stones in opposite corners of the board with one black stone in the center. White's stones are both useless for defending against black, and black is essentially the first player with two moves in the center before white can defend.

	4. ~~If either player~~'s stones ~~are placed next to~~ each other~~, they form~~ a ~~pair~~ which can ~~be threatened with~~ a ~~capture~~, which ~~generally weakens~~ the ~~position for that~~ player.		4. Unlike in the Pro and Long Pro opening rules, white doesn't have the ability to choose the optimal placement of the second stone for handling black's first stone, so there is no hard and fast rule regarding how near or how far away from each other white's stones can be from each other before a position changes from a sure win for white to a sure win for black. There are definitely some suboptimal second stone white placements three intersections away from the center which can result in a first player loss, given an optimal placement of a black stone in the proposal. There may even be some second white stone placements which are closer than three intersections from the center which don't create a pair with the first stone and yet are still first player losses. On the other hand, certain specific second white stone placememts may prevail against certain black stones even though they are as far away from the center as six intersections.

	5. Diagonally aligned stones are generally weaker than horizontally and vertically aligned stones because there are fewer stone placements which create strong shapes available with a diagonal alignment.		5. If either player's stones are placed next to each other, they form a pair which can be threatened with a capture, which generally weakens the position for that player.

			6. Diagonally aligned stones are generally weaker than horizontally and vertically aligned stones because there are fewer stone placements which create strong shapes available with a diagonal alignment.

	6. Any opening proposal will favor one side or the other, so the goal is to find a reasonably balanced position which one is comfortable playing from either side of the board.		6. Any opening proposal will favor one side or the other, so the goal is to find a reasonably balanced position which one is comfortable playing from either side of the board.

Watsu: /* Opening Strategy */

2022-09-15T13:09:30Z

Opening Strategy

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:09, 15 September 2022
Line 7:		Line 7:
	In the Pro opening rules (often known as tournament rules or simply Pente), the first stone of the first player must be placed in the center of the board. The first stone of the second player may be placed anywhere on the board. The second stone of the first player must be placed at least three intersections away from the first stone.		In the Pro opening rules (often known as tournament rules or simply Pente), the first stone of the first player must be placed in the center of the board. The first stone of the second player may be placed anywhere on the board. The second stone of the first player must be placed at least three intersections away from the first stone.

	For the 75 or so (disregarding mirrored positions) likeliest opening positions https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=4278&tstart=15 where black's first stone is adjacent to the central stone, in only about 15% would a master level player be likely to choose to make a pair of adjacent stones on his/her third move (see Pro rules openings Fig. 1 for 10 example formations). In only two or three cases would a master level player be likely to make a pair if black hadn't already made a pair first. This is not to say white can't also win by creating a pair on the third move (either with or without the same second move) in other instances - white has 14 or 15 choices of third moves which form a pair after black's second move ~~and although~~ some of them likely lose many are likely not explored much. A master level player would be more likely choose to form either an L or a hat shape (see bottom right corner of Pro rules openings Fig. 1) with his/her third stone, because these are commonly accepted white surewin 3rd moves in these cases and there is little incentive for white to diverge from known winning lines unless possibly to avoid a potential novelty move by black in a live game.		For the 75 or so (disregarding mirrored positions) likeliest opening positions https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=4278&tstart=15 where black's first stone is adjacent to the central stone, in only about 15% would a master level player be likely to choose to make a pair of adjacent stones on his/her third move (see Pro rules openings Fig. 1 for 10 example formations). In only two or three cases would a master level player be likely to make a pair if black hadn't already made a pair first. This is not to say white can't also win by creating a pair on the third move (either with or without the same second move) in other instances - white has 14 or 15 choices of third moves which form a pair after black's second move. Although some of them likely lose many are likely not explored much. A master level player would be more likely choose to form either an L or a hat shape (see bottom right corner of Pro rules openings Fig. 1) with his/her third stone, because these are commonly accepted white surewin 3rd moves in these cases and there is little incentive for white to diverge from known winning lines unless possibly to avoid a potential novelty move by black in a live game.

	If a pro rules opening is shifted so that an edge (or corner) of the board affects it, then the first player may well need to find an alternative third move to counter black's second stone.		If a pro rules opening is shifted so that an edge (or corner) of the board affects it, then the first player may well need to find an alternative third move to counter black's second stone.

Watsu: /* Opening Strategy */

2022-09-15T13:08:47Z

Opening Strategy

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:08, 15 September 2022
Line 7:		Line 7:
	In the Pro opening rules (often known as tournament rules or simply Pente), the first stone of the first player must be placed in the center of the board. The first stone of the second player may be placed anywhere on the board. The second stone of the first player must be placed at least three intersections away from the first stone.		In the Pro opening rules (often known as tournament rules or simply Pente), the first stone of the first player must be placed in the center of the board. The first stone of the second player may be placed anywhere on the board. The second stone of the first player must be placed at least three intersections away from the first stone.

	For the 75 or so (disregarding mirrored positions) likeliest opening positions https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=4278&tstart=15 where black's first stone is adjacent to the central stone, in only about 15% would a master level player be likely to choose to make a pair of adjacent stones on his/her third move (see Pro rules openings Fig. 1 for 10 example formations). In only two or three cases would a master level player be likely to make a pair if black hadn't already made a pair first. This is not to say white can't also win by creating a pair on the third move (either with or without the same second move) in other instances. A master level player would ~~just~~ be more likely choose to form either an L or a hat shape (see bottom right corner of Pro rules openings Fig. 1) with his/her third stone, because these are commonly accepted white surewin 3rd moves in these cases and there is little incentive for white to diverge from known winning lines unless possibly to avoid a potential novelty move by black in a live game.		For the 75 or so (disregarding mirrored positions) likeliest opening positions https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=4278&tstart=15 where black's first stone is adjacent to the central stone, in only about 15% would a master level player be likely to choose to make a pair of adjacent stones on his/her third move (see Pro rules openings Fig. 1 for 10 example formations). In only two or three cases would a master level player be likely to make a pair if black hadn't already made a pair first. This is not to say white can't also win by creating a pair on the third move (either with or without the same second move) in other instances - white has 14 or 15 choices of third moves which form a pair after black's second move and although some of them likely lose many are likely not explored much. A master level player would be more likely choose to form either an L or a hat shape (see bottom right corner of Pro rules openings Fig. 1) with his/her third stone, because these are commonly accepted white surewin 3rd moves in these cases and there is little incentive for white to diverge from known winning lines unless possibly to avoid a potential novelty move by black in a live game.

	If a pro rules opening is shifted so that an edge (or corner) of the board affects it, then the first player may well need to find an alternative third move to counter black's second stone.		If a pro rules opening is shifted so that an edge (or corner) of the board affects it, then the first player may well need to find an alternative third move to counter black's second stone.

Watsu: /* Opening Strategy */

2022-09-15T10:56:42Z

Opening Strategy

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:56, 15 September 2022
Line 13:		Line 13:
	<div style="position:relative; width:800px; height:800px; overflow:hidden; margin:1rem;"><div style="position:absolute; bottom:0px;">		<div style="position:relative; width:800px; height:800px; overflow:hidden; margin:1rem;"><div style="position:absolute; bottom:0px;">
	{{goboard19 \| starSize=0		{{goboard19 \| starSize=0

	~~\| highlight=blue 5~~
	~~\| highlight=red 5~~

	\| a17={{blackStone}}		\| a17={{blackStone}}
Line 67:		Line 64:
	\| j5={{whiteStone}}		\| j5={{whiteStone}}
	\| m5={{whiteStone}}		\| m5={{whiteStone}}
	~~\| k5={{whiteStone}}~~
	\| r9={{whiteStone}}		\| r9={{whiteStone}}
	\| r6={{whiteStone}}		\| r6={{whiteStone}}

Watsu: /* Opening Strategy */

2022-09-15T10:54:59Z

Opening Strategy

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:54, 15 September 2022
Line 17:		Line 17:
	\| highlight=red 5		\| highlight=red 5

	~~\| a17={{blackStone}}~~
	~~\| b18={{blackStone}}~~
	~~\| j17={{blackStone}}~~
	~~\| h17={{blackStone}}~~
	\| a17={{blackStone}}		\| a17={{blackStone}}
	\| b18={{blackStone}}		\| b18={{blackStone}}
Line 75:		Line 71:
	\| r6={{whiteStone}}		\| r6={{whiteStone}}
	\| t6={{whiteStone}}		\| t6={{whiteStone}}
	~~\| m5={{whiteStone}}~~
	\| k5={{whiteStone}}		\| k5={{whiteStone}}
	\| q1={{whiteStone}}		\| q1={{whiteStone}}

Watsu: /* Opening Strategy */

2022-09-15T10:13:21Z

Opening Strategy

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:13, 15 September 2022
Line 7:		Line 7:
	In the Pro opening rules (often known as tournament rules or simply Pente), the first stone of the first player must be placed in the center of the board. The first stone of the second player may be placed anywhere on the board. The second stone of the first player must be placed at least three intersections away from the first stone.		In the Pro opening rules (often known as tournament rules or simply Pente), the first stone of the first player must be placed in the center of the board. The first stone of the second player may be placed anywhere on the board. The second stone of the first player must be placed at least three intersections away from the first stone.

	For the 75 or so (disregarding mirrored positions) likeliest opening positions https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=4278&tstart=15 where black's first stone is adjacent to the central stone, in only about 15% would a master level player be likely to choose to make a pair of adjacent stones on his/her third move. In only two or three cases would a master level player be likely to make a pair if black hadn't already made a pair first. This is not to say white can't also win by creating a pair on the third move (either with or without the same second move) in other instances. A master level player would just be more likely choose to form either an L or a hat shape with his/her third stone, because these are commonly accepted white surewin 3rd moves in these cases and there is little incentive for white to diverge from known winning lines unless possibly to avoid a potential novelty move by black in a live game.		For the 75 or so (disregarding mirrored positions) likeliest opening positions https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=4278&tstart=15 where black's first stone is adjacent to the central stone, in only about 15% would a master level player be likely to choose to make a pair of adjacent stones on his/her third move (see Pro rules openings Fig. 1 for 10 example formations). In only two or three cases would a master level player be likely to make a pair if black hadn't already made a pair first. This is not to say white can't also win by creating a pair on the third move (either with or without the same second move) in other instances. A master level player would just be more likely choose to form either an L or a hat shape (see bottom right corner of Pro rules openings Fig. 1) with his/her third stone, because these are commonly accepted white surewin 3rd moves in these cases and there is little incentive for white to diverge from known winning lines unless possibly to avoid a potential novelty move by black in a live game.

	If a pro rules opening is shifted so that an edge (or corner) of the board affects it, then the first player may well need to find an alternative third move to counter black's second stone.		If a pro rules opening is shifted so that an edge (or corner) of the board affects it, then the first player may well need to find an alternative third move to counter black's second stone.
Line 82:		Line 82:

	}}</div></div>		}}</div></div>
	10 example Pro opening rules formations where the recommended third move for white is to create a pair. Also shown (bottom right) are the white 3 stone formations known as the L and the hat.</center></div>		Pro rules openings Fig. 1 - Ten example Pro opening rules formations where the recommended third move for white is to create a pair. Also shown (bottom right) are the white 3 stone formations known as the L and the hat.</center></div>
	<div>		<div>

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:30, 17 September 2022
Line 76:		Line 76:
	In the Pro opening rules (often known as tournament rules or simply Pente), the first stone of the first player must be placed in the centre of the board. The first stone of the second player may be placed anywhere on the board. The second stone of the first player must be placed at least three intersections away from the first stone.		In the Pro opening rules (often known as tournament rules or simply Pente), the first stone of the first player must be placed in the centre of the board. The first stone of the second player may be placed anywhere on the board. The second stone of the first player must be placed at least three intersections away from the first stone.

	For the 75 or so (disregarding mirrored positions) [https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=4278&tstart=15\| most likely opening positions] where black's first stone is adjacent to the central stone, in only about 15% would a master level player be likely to choose to make a pair of adjacent stones on his/her third move (see Pro rules openings '''Fig. 1''' for 10 example formations). In only two or three cases would a master level player be likely to make a pair if black hadn't already made a pair first. This is not to say white can't also win by creating a pair on the third move (either with or without the same second move) in other instances - white has 14 or 15 choices of third moves which form a pair after black's second move. Although some of them likely lose many are likely not explored much. A master level player would be more likely choose to form either an L or a hat shape (see bottom right corner of Pro rules openings '''Fig. 1''') with his/her third stone, because these are commonly accepted white sure-win 3rd moves in these cases and there is little incentive for white to diverge from known winning lines unless possibly to avoid a potential novelty move by black in a live game.		For the 75 or so (disregarding mirrored positions) [https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=4278&tstart=15 most likely opening positions] where black's first stone is adjacent to the central stone, in only about 15% would a master level player be likely to choose to make a pair of adjacent stones on his/her third move (see Pro rules openings '''Fig. 1''' for 10 example formations). In only two or three cases would a master level player be likely to make a pair if black hadn't already made a pair first. This is not to say white can't also win by creating a pair on the third move (either with or without the same second move) in other instances - white has 14 or 15 choices of third moves which form a pair after black's second move. Although some of them likely lose many are likely not explored much. A master level player would be more likely choose to form either an L or a hat shape (see bottom right corner of Pro rules openings '''Fig. 1''') with his/her third stone, because these are commonly accepted white sure-win 3rd moves in these cases and there is little incentive for white to diverge from known winning lines unless possibly to avoid a potential novelty move by black in a live game.

	If a pro rules opening is shifted so that an edge (or corner) of the board affects it, then the first player may well need to find an alternative third move to counter black's second stone.		If a pro rules opening is shifted so that an edge (or corner) of the board affects it, then the first player may well need to find an alternative third move to counter black's second stone.
Line 100:		Line 100:
	== General Strategy ==		== General Strategy ==

	What can happen if white doesn't immediately play into the capture at c5 in the illustration below ('''Fig. 2''') is well illustrated by the demonstration of how the [https://web.archive.org/web/20040131001542/www.playpente.com/pawnbroker.html\| pawnbroker shape] can be used.		What can happen if white doesn't immediately play into the capture at c5 in the illustration below ('''Fig. 2''') is well illustrated by the demonstration of how the [https://web.archive.org/web/20040131001542/www.playpente.com/pawnbroker.html pawnbroker shape] can be used.

	[https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=4553&tstart=0\| Pente for dummies thread at pente.org]		[https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=4553&tstart=0 Pente for dummies thread at pente.org]

	=== Differences in Strategies Between Gomoku and Pente ===		=== Differences in Strategies Between Gomoku and Pente ===

	Due to overlines not winning in gomoku, there are certain board positions which would be a win for one player in gomoku, but the other player would win in Pente (see '''Fig. 4''' for one example, h/t to [https://pente.org/gameServer/profile?viewName=pente_gon\| pente.org]). However, a far more common scenario which results in a position which is a win for one player in gomoku and the other player in Pente is the threat to capture a double keystone pair in combination with making a 3 (see '''Fig. 3'''). Ignoring the stone count on the board and just looking at the position after black's move to E6 in '''Fig. 3''', we can see that in gomoku white would win the game, but in Pente black has the win. For an example of how a position like this can arise in a Pente game, see [https://web.archive.org/web/20040131001542/www.playpente.com/pawnbroker.html\| The Pawnbroker]		Due to overlines not winning in gomoku, there are certain board positions which would be a win for one player in gomoku, but the other player would win in Pente (see '''Fig. 4''' for one example, h/t to [https://pente.org/gameServer/profile?viewName=pente_gon pente.org]). However, a far more common scenario which results in a position which is a win for one player in gomoku and the other player in Pente is the threat to capture a double keystone pair in combination with making a 3 (see '''Fig. 3'''). Ignoring the stone count on the board and just looking at the position after black's move to E6 in '''Fig. 3''', we can see that in gomoku white would win the game, but in Pente black has the win. For an example of how a position like this can arise in a Pente game, see [https://web.archive.org/web/20040131001542/www.playpente.com/pawnbroker.html The Pawnbroker]
	Boards illustrating these differences in who wins the game can also be found in [https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=232764\| this forum thread at pente.org]		Boards illustrating these differences in who wins the game can also be found in [https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=232764 this forum thread at pente.org]

	There are no draws in Pente unlike in gomoku, so a balanced opening proposal isn't possible for Pente.		There are no draws in Pente unlike in gomoku, so a balanced opening proposal isn't possible for Pente.
Line 114:		Line 114:

	For board/game examples and more tips regarding the differences between Pente and gomoku, see also		For board/game examples and more tips regarding the differences between Pente and gomoku, see also
	[https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=232770\| this forum thread at pente.org]		[https://pente.org/gameServer/forums/thread.jspa?forumID=27&threadID=232770 this forum thread at pente.org]

	<div style="display:flex; flex-flow:row wrap; gap:2rem;">		<div style="display:flex; flex-flow:row wrap; gap:2rem;">