Difference between revisions of "Outposts on the edge"

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(Added info on a4, a5, a6; linked to switchbacks.)
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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.
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Due to the popularity of [[opening]]s in the '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]]s or [[switchback]]s. This article summarizes how to use such pieces as ladder escapes or switchbacks.
 
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''Feel free to improve upon the examples on this page.''
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== Ladders towards a2 ==
 
== Ladders towards a2 ==
  
This is easy. a2 is a valid ladder escape for [[Second row ladder|2-ladders]] and [[Third row ladder|3-ladders]].
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This is easy. a2 is a valid [[ladder escape]] for 2nd and 3rd row [[ladder]]s.
  
 
== Ladders towards a3 ==
 
== 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]].
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a3 is a valid ladder escape for 2nd row ladders, but not for 3rd row ladders. However, a3 works as a 3rd-to-5th row [[switchback]]. See [[Switchback#A3_switchback|A3 switchback]]. See also [[A3 escape trick]].
  
 
== Ladders towards a4 ==
 
== Ladders towards a4 ==
  
a4 isn't a valid ladder escape for any kind of ladders, but as for A3, there are some tricks.
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a4 isn't a valid ladder escape for any kind of ladders, but it works both as a 2nd-to-4th row switchback and as a 3rd-to-5th row switchback. See [[Switchback#A4_switchback|A4 switchback]].
  
 
=== Second row ladders ===
 
=== Second row ladders ===
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<hex>R6 C8 Vb1 Vb2 Vb3 Vb4 Vh3 Vb5 Vc5 Vd5 Ve5 Ha6 Hb6 Hc6 Hd6 He6 Hd1 Hd2 Sg5</hex>
 
<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.
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[[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.  
  
 
=== Third row ladders ===
 
=== Third row ladders ===
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Red first plays at (*). When Blue plays between Red's ladder and this piece, Red plays his next piece at (+).
 
Red first plays at (*). When Blue plays between Red's ladder and this piece, Red plays his next piece at (+).
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== Ladders towards a5 ==
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a5 isn't a valid ladder escape for any kind of ladders, but it works both as a 2nd-to-4th row switchback and as a 3rd-to-5th row switchback. See [[Switchback#A5_switchback|A5 switchback]].
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== Ladders towards a6 ==
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a6 isn't a valid ladder escape for any kind of ladders, but given enough space, it works as a 2nd-to-4th row switchback. See [[Switchback#A6_switchback|A6 switchback]].
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[[category:ladder]]
 
[[category:ladder]]

Revision as of 15:17, 9 December 2020

Due to the popularity of openings in the '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 escapes or switchbacks. This article summarizes how to use such pieces as ladder escapes or switchbacks.

Ladders towards a2

This is easy. a2 is a valid ladder escape for 2nd and 3rd row ladders.

Ladders towards a3

a3 is a valid ladder escape for 2nd row ladders, but not for 3rd row ladders. However, a3 works as a 3rd-to-5th row switchback. See A3 switchback. See also A3 escape trick.

Ladders towards a4

a4 isn't a valid ladder escape for any kind of ladders, but it works both as a 2nd-to-4th row switchback and as a 3rd-to-5th row switchback. See A4 switchback.

Second row ladders

Red plays at the star. Blue has to play to the left of the star, and Red can start a new ladder from a4 to the left.

Third row ladders

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

Ladders towards a5

a5 isn't a valid ladder escape for any kind of ladders, but it works both as a 2nd-to-4th row switchback and as a 3rd-to-5th row switchback. See A5 switchback.

Ladders towards a6

a6 isn't a valid ladder escape for any kind of ladders, but given enough space, it works as a 2nd-to-4th row switchback. See A6 switchback.