got a chance to play some g-pente (and d-pente) over the holidays. We found g-pente to be very good for an over the board game. Wonder who has the advantage in g-pente? Experience will tell us soon.
I have a suggestion. I don't think it would be a huge problem to add to g-pente the restriction that x<>y for p1's second move. (ie. diagonals also off limits!) I don't know but I would bet that p1 has a slight advantage elsewise.
Does anybody else agree?
Best, happy
This message was originally posted at Yahoo's pente group.
I haven't found the diagonal moves 3 or 4 spaces from the center in G-Pente to offer player 1 (P1) any advantage, assuming that P2's move 1 is a 'diagonal' instead of a 'straight' move in relation to P1's first move, i.e. L11, L9, etc. (or R1U1, R1D1 etc. using old notation).
If P2 plays a 'straight' move in relation to P1's first move, i.e. K11 or L10, then I believe P1 probably get's a bit of an advantage with a diagonal move 3 (or maybe 4) spaces out.
Bottom line, P2 should probably stick with a diagonal move 1 in G-Pente, unless he goes for a keystone attack like in regular tourney-rule Pente with O11 followed by O9. (R4U1 followed by R2U1)
Actually the diagonal move 2, whether it be 3 or 4 spaces out, by P1 vs. a diagonal move 1 by P2 is probably an advantage for P2.
I believe that P1 has a VERY slight advantage in G-Pente with it's current rules. The reason is the one that Happy stated in his other memo. It appears that N12 or M13 (R3U2 or R2U3) does afford him that slight advantage. I don't believe restricting the diagonal move 3 or 4 spaces out would make much difference.
By the way Happy, your x<>y description for describing diagonals was technically incorrect. A diagonal move could also be x=3 and y=-3. It should read ABS(x)<>ABS(y), where ABS=absolute value. (LOL) I couldn't resist throwing that one in, since you were getting fancy with the terminology!
Gary
This message was originally posted at Yahoo's pente group.
