Edge template V1b
Contents
The template
(From the little golem forum)
Even though the diagram shows two pieces and one of them on the sixth row, it makes sense to say this is a fifth row template with one stone, as the stone on the sixth row plays no role whatsoever in connecting to the bottom. It could be removed and the stone on the fifth row will still be connected to the bottom. It is only shown so there is a possibility to connect to the top too, as without that it would not be of much use in a practical sense.
(Note: As I am writing this I have only seen the claim of this being a valid template on the little golem thread. I have not checked it yet and also not if it is minimal. However, as this came from a very competent player I have no reson to doubt it.)
Defense against intrusions
Red has 3 main threads:
using the ziggurat,
using III-1-b and
using IV-1-d.
For a blocking attempt, Blue has to play on the overlap:
Defense against 1. e3
Yet to come ...
Defense against 1. d5
Red can start like this:
Red has this threat:
So all these fields need to be considered:
... 5. f3
Yet to come ...
... 5. e4
Yet to come ...
... 5. f4
Yet to come ...
... 5. g4
Yet to come ...
... 5. e5
Yet to come ...
... 5. f5
Yet to come ...
... 5. g5
Yet to come ...
... 5. d6
The group with 2 is connected to the top in two non-overlapping ways (see area marked with +) and to the bottom with IV-2-b.
... 5. e6
Red can respond here:
Now Red has two threats:
and
Blue has to play on the overlap:
7. f2
7. g2
7. f3
6 is now connected to the left and to the bottom by Tom's move.
7. e4
4 is again connected to the left and to the bottom by Tom's move.
7. f4
Yet to come ...
7. g4
Yet to come ...
7. e5
Yet to come ...
7. f6
Yet to come ...
... 5. f6
Yet to come ...
... 5. g6
Yet to come ...
Defense against 1. d6
Red has this line:
Blue 3, 5 and 7 are forced.
Red has these threats:
The overlap in which Blue has to play is:
Four of these five possible moves can be analysed in one line. In the following diagram assume Blue has played 1 on any of the fields marked with +:
After Red 2 that group is safely connected to them bottom, now matter which of the pluses Blue chose before.
That leaves only one Blue move to deal with:
Note that Red 4 connects to the bottom with IV-2-b.
