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| Both players have used pieces 1 and 11, so no moves involving those pieces need be considered. Region A is in the range of 16-19 squares, so a maximum of 2 moves can be played there. There are 3 ways to move that would split region A into 2 dead zones, rendering further play there impossible. Region B is in the range of 11-14 squares, so only one move can fit there.Regions C and D are both 15 squares, which means dead zones cannot form there. There will be room for 3 moves in both C and D, unless of course the players have already played the required shape piece. The first thing White should look for, is a way to fence off a reserve move in the shape of piece 8 or piece 10, which Black alone has played. White might also seek to avoid giving Black the opportunity to fence off a region in the shape of piece 2 or 5 or whatever piece White is going to play this move. If the battle to reserve moves comes out equal, then affecting the parity of the remaining moves (odd or even) means you choose which side plays last. It might be possible be affect parity in each of regions A, C, and D. There is a move in region A which fences off a reserve move for White: 1.7-B3-E4, which reserves 8-B4-D5. The only hope for Black now, is to try to create a reserve move in region C or D. Black can do this by playing 2.7-B6-C9, which reserves 2-A6-A10, but after 3.12-I9-G10 Black is in parity trouble. There are precisely 6 moves remaining on the board, and it is Black's move. White cannot be stopped from moving last. Black could instead try 2.3-D9-B8 reserving 2-A10-E10, but then White has 3.4-G10-F8, which has the effect of reserving two more moves, one just for Black, and one just for White, This leaves an even number of moves on the board, and both players have the same number of moves in reserve. Black has the move, and is therefore lost. Does White have another winning move? Any other move in region A would allow Black to play 3-D9-B8 reserving 2-A10-E10, and White will not be able to catch up with Black in reserve moves. Parity doesn't matter, if your opponent has more reserve moves than you do. White could play 1.4-B9-D10, which reserves 8-A8-B10, but Black can respond with 2.9-B2-C4, reserving 4-A1-B3 Now, strangely enough, there is no good move for White in region D! For example, after 3.12-I9-G10 there are 3 places on the board where only piece 6 will fit, but since each player has only one piece of each shape, these 3 places correspond to only 2 moves, so now Black can play 4.7-G1-J2 and White is facing a parity loss. If White tries 1.9-A10-C9 then 2.7-E3-B4 wins for Black. Or if 1.3-B10-D9 2.7-B6-C9 3.7-B3-E4 4.5-I7-H9 and only one move remains playable in region D, so White loses. Or 1.12-B8-A10 2.9-B2-C4, and again there is no good move for White. |
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