YOU WILL LEARN
Beginner: see threats and answer the urgent move
- Separate five from an overline
- Find open and closed fours
- Answer an open three
- Keep multiple directions in the center
0 / 50%
LESSONS
5 Lesson
01
Winning lines use only four directions
From the last stone, inspect horizontal, vertical and the two diagonals. Count matching stones on both sides.
Imagine drawing a plus sign and an X through the last move.
02
An open four cannot be stopped
Four consecutive stones with both ends empty leave two winning points. The defender can cover only one.
You must stop the shape before the open four appears.
03
An open three reserves the next attack
An open three can become an open four in one move. Block the transformation point or answer with a stronger four.
Three visible stones are not always an open three; check space and endpoints.
04
Defend by reducing the center of influence
The best block may be an intersection that weakens two lines, not a point touching the final stone.
Count how many opposing candidates each defensive move removes.
05
Connect near the center in the first ten moves
Keep one- and two-space relationships so your stones can grow in several directions.
An early edge move voluntarily removes attacking directions.
CHECKPOINT
Beginner checkpoint
Against the beginner AI, create one open three and correctly block one opposing open three. Recognition matters more than the result.