MindSports
Glass Bead Game
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About
Rules
Games
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Strategy
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1 The House
2 Direct capture
3 Indirect capture
4 Delayed direct
5 Delayed indirect
6 Tempo
7 A big mistake
8 A correct defense
9 Endgame part 1
11 Endgame part 3
12 Endgame part 4
13 Endgame part 5


The Endgame 2

We've seen that moving pit D doesn't fix the problem because it would tip the scales in terms of captured points. Having the last gem in one's own pits, especially a yellow one, is usually an advantage: any threat with an indirect capture cannot be parried with a counter threat, because the catches aren't equal.
South can avoid the capture by moving pit A, simultaneously attacking north' pit a. From north's point of view this attack is no big deal: a yellow gem doesn't tip the scales, and he must make an indirect capture anyway. He might decide to allow it, to prepare a little trap with d00. Press PLAY to see south answer by capturing with B0000...

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After B0000, south cannot sow pit A without losing a 5 point gem to north, tipping the scales in north' favour. Since south has only one tempo left before he must start feeding north (providing him with more tempo!), this scenario cannot be avoided. So south must consider the alternatives for 2. B0000.

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