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Due to the popularity of [[opening]]s in the [[A column|'a' column]], it is very common for a [[player]] to have a [[piece]] along the [[opponent]]'s [[edge]], near the [[acute corner]]. Such pieces can work as [[ladder escape|ladder escapes]]. This article explains how to use such pieces as ladder escapes.

''Feel free to improve upon the examples on this page.''

== Ladders towards a2 ==

This is easy. a2 is a valid ladder escape for [[Second row ladder|2-ladders]] and [[Third row ladder|3-ladders]].

== Ladders towards a3 ==

a3 is a valid ladder escape for 2-ladders, but not for 3-ladders. However, there is a simple trick which makes most 3-ladders work. See [[A3 escape trick]].

== Ladders towards a4 ==

a4 isn't a valid ladder escape for any kind of ladders, but as for A3, there are some tricks.

=== Second row ladders ===

<hex>R6 C8 Vb1 Vb2 Vb3 Vb4 Vh3 Vb5 Vc5 Vd5 Ve5 Ha6 Hb6 Hc6 Hd6 He6 Hd1 Hd2 Sg5</hex>

[[Red (player)|Red]] plays at the star. [[Blue (player)|Blue]] has to play to the left of the star, and Red can start a new ladder from a4 to the left. Depending on how the pieces are elsewhere on the board, this trick may or may not work.

=== Third row ladders ===

<hex>R7 C8 Vb1 Vb2 Vb3 Vb4 Vh4 Vb5 Vc5 Vd5 Ve5 Ha6 Hb6 Hc6 Hd6 He6 Hd1 Hd2 Sg5 Pg3</hex>

Red first plays at (*). When Blue plays between Red's ladder and this piece, Red plays his next piece at (+).

[[category:ladder]]