You can see the diagram for each move by following along at this HexWorld link.
The following is an annotated transcript of a Hex game. Follow along
with this on a board, and you could learn all kinds of stuff. The
players are H and V, V moves first. H is a bit weak in the opening,
but the mid game is wide open after a questionable move by V. V ends
up preserving the win by carefully maintaining the winning line
throughout some tricky positions.
1.
f6
The center hex, the strongest opening move for V.
...
f5
H chooses a weaker line of defense, g3 is usual.
2.
h4
V presses the attack on the north edge.
...
i1
H plays the "classic" defensive move. Note that g5 may look tempting here, but H is in trouble after h5.
3.
e4
V shifts focus to the right side, threatening, but not establishing, a link to the north.
...
e3
H's piece at i1 allows this defense, but f1 might have been better.
4.
g2
g3
H can stop V's connection to e4 or h4, but not both!
5.
i3
V is now connected from the north. j2 or h2 both get the link, and H can't stop both.
...
e9
H shifts sides and tries to play defense on the south.
6.
h7
Nice, aggressive, offensive and defensive move.
...
g10
H's game is all defense at this point.
7.
i9
V connects to the south, choosing to fight for the link in the middle rather than along the edge.
...
j2
H's first sign of life on offense. H threatens h2 or i2, which links H from the right out to f5...
8.
h2
But, V shuts the door on that!
...
h6
This piece is linked to the right, even though it's not the usual 4th row template, thanks to the H piece at h2,
9.
j5
i4
V tries to block, and H saves the link.
10.
g7?
Not a terrible move, but d9 was probably better. V links up in the center with this move.
...
g6!
If V responds with a knee-jerk f7 to save the link, H looks pretty good after g5.
11.
d6!
A nice reply to H's strong move. V de-fuses f5, and extends from e4, which could end up being connected to the north.
...
g5
H makes the link anyway. Perhaps H would have been better off moving on the south side here.
12.
f3
V keeps the sure thing to the north.
..
f7
H is now connected from the right out to f7/e9.
13.
c9
Once again, V gets a link and plans to fight for connection in the middle.
...
d5!
A very sneaky threat. If V plays a knee-jerk e5, H plays d9, and forces V to choose which side of c9 to play defense on. If north, H attacks south at b11, with some north ladder help at d5, and east ladder help at g10. If south, c8 wins for H.
14.
c6!
But V sees right through all that! This move strengthens ties to c9, and allows V to stop H even if H makes the e5 link.
...
g1
H tries to throw some doubt in V's ability to stop H from connecting from d4 to the left.
15.
f2
f1
V forces two ladder steps, which restores ability to stop
16.
e2
e1
H after H's threat of e5.
17.
h1
Now this is safe for V.
...
c8
H's last gasp at a win. Inexact play by V could lead to a ladder east then north to H's link to the east edge.
18.
e7
The only win-preserving move in the area.
...
d8
Forced.
19.
e8
Resign
Threatens to connect at d9 or f8; H has run out of tricks. H resigns.
