Edge template VI1b

Template VI1-b is a 6th row edge template with one stone.

The template was discovered by Eric Demer, in answer to an open question about 7th row ladders from the page Open problems about edge templates. Unlike edge template VI1a, there is no empty cell required to the left of the template's stone.

The template's validity and minimality have been verified using MoHex.

Overview of how the template works

There are many individual intrusions to consider, but the following information offers a birds-eye view on how the template works. For all intrusions except at the cell marked "*", the shaded area is sufficient for Red to reconnect:

If, on the other hand, Blue intrudes at "*", then Red can bridge to the right and connect by edge template V1b.