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        Arimaa >> Game Analysis >> Game 145436 Clueless2009CC v. Sconibulus
        
(Message started by: Sconibulus on May 29th, 2010, 3:20pm)
Title: Game 145436 Clueless2009CC v. Sconibulus
Post by Sconibulus on May 29th, 2010, 3:20pm
http://arimaa.com/arimaa/gameroom/comments.cgi?gid=145436

It had an interesting start, and ends in what is basically a full board blockade of gold, with only a few piece shuffles available. This is mostly interesting because of the discussions of blockading in the retrograde analysis thread elsewhere in the forums.
Title: Re: Game 145436 Clueless2009CC v. Sconibulus
Post by Fritzlein on May 29th, 2010, 5:05pm
Thanks for posting.  I'm always on the lookout for stalemate-like positions because they could be warning signs that Arimaa theory is headed toward drawish positions that need the repetition rule to determine a winner.

On the other hand, the repetition rule only applies when neither player has anything better to do than shuffle.  You never ran out of freedom to keep picking at Clueless' position, keep capturing in your home traps, and keep making progress.

Theoretically there might be positions where the player who is in control has a faster win by forcing repetition than by playing dynamically, and thus would choose to repeat and force a concession, but this game doesn't look like it has any such position.
Title: Re: Game 145436 Clueless2009CC v. Sconibulus
Post by Hippo on Jun 5th, 2010, 2:43pm

on 05/29/10 at 17:05:48, Fritzlein wrote:
Thanks for posting.  I'm always on the lookout for stalemate-like positions because they could be warning signs that Arimaa theory is headed toward drawish positions that need the repetition rule to determine a winner.

On the other hand, the repetition rule only applies when neither player has anything better to do than shuffle.  You never ran out of freedom to keep picking at Clueless' position, keep capturing in your home traps, and keep making progress.

Theoretically there might be positions where the player who is in control has a faster win by forcing repetition than by playing dynamically, and thus would choose to repeat and force a concession, but this game doesn't look like it has any such position.


Unfortunately not ... if your opponent understands the divided playgrounds ... you have difficult time to force him to step into such position. I am almost sure immobilisation would be faster/easier (at least both times it was).
Title: Re: Game 145436 Clueless2009CC v. Sconibulus
Post by Sconibulus on Jul 10th, 2010, 4:52am
Another, similar game against clueless at faster time controls, this time I didn't see any way to make progress at all, and think I could have blocked off any move of clueless, so we rotated pieces until clueless ran himself out of time. Insights are always welcome.

http://arimaa.com/arimaa/gameroom/comments.cgi?gid=148669
Title: Re: Game 145436 Clueless2009CC v. Sconibulus
Post by Fritzlein on Jul 10th, 2010, 7:27am
Yep, that looks like a complete stalemate at the end.  I don't see any way for either player to make progress.  Clueless will have to blink first, although if it were smart it would release the blockade rather than losing on repetition.

I think you missed a win with 18s MvHgvRgvv.  Gold must give up the horse frame to prevent losing the game, after which you can make progress with you newly-mobile elephant.


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