Join Hexversi Tourney #8 by Dec 12th. Win up to 2500+ Pts SPECIAL Section for Newbies

[jackpot269]

ITS HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT THIS MONTH IS A YEAR FOR ME PLAYING AT ITSYOURTURN!
Sorry I had caps on!!! I wasn't typing it again!! I still got a chance, the other guy could beat Toptal twice and maybe, I can still beat him one. I made a move 2 days ago and I thought after he made his next move I would claim a corner, and somehow, I looked at it wrong or missed it when it was my turn again!!!

Thanks buddy!!

[las8]

Thanks JP

And yeah, GL to Las8, hoping to see you advance. I actually regret not picking you to win your group. I just remembered thinking joook was pretty good back when I started. But thanks to John the SBR boys have learned pretty fast while maybe some of the old school players have stayed at the same level

I don't blame you honestly. I looked at his history and he does look like a good player but I am most likely picking myself unless I am matched against someone I have never beat. It took me three games to beat Joshua but I have his number now. I should have swept REMO as well. I am pretty sure if I picked jook rather than myself I probably wouldn't have had as many votes. It looks like REMO has him in one game and I should have him in at least one. At least I am guaranteed to get out of the first round this time, I believe, if I get one of these. I am still disappointed in myself last tournament. I still need to beat Scott Sitar.

[jackpot269]

Yeah man, I was rooting for you as well! But I know Toptal is one of the best Hexversi players on the site, so that's a very tough match for sure. It took me over a year before I learned to beat him

I've got findline beat in the 2nd game, I waiting on him now he has no move, and he didn't have one his last turn either! only 4 moves left!
Then he and I will be tied and it will all ride on his two games with Toptal and mine to see who moves on!!!!

[JohnGalt2341]

Wow, ethmah took a game off of shimgar, props to him

Indeed! Also, in case you guys didn't know, after ethmah01 timed-out late in the 2nd Round of the last Tourney, as soon as he timed-out, it automatically advanced Toptal to the 3rd Round(Finals). But ethmah was able to reinstate the games with Toptal and he swept Toptal, but he didn't get the chance to play in the Finals, so he invited blanko to a private match. blanko swept him in the private match and he splits his games with Ivan Gutorov . So, blanko is indeed the true Tournament Champion of the last Tournament!!

I think the reason shimgar(David Hand) didn't play in the last Tournament was because it was going to overlap with the World Othello Championships in Paris where he tied for 13th place out of 88 players. And from what I understand, I think he was sort of disappointed with his performance as I think he has placed in the top 10 on at least 1 occasion. mmariomm told me David is easily one of the top 5 best Othello players in all of Europe. And mario himself, is the #1 rated Othello player in Spain.


shimgar's legit Hexversi record right now is 41-2. With his only losses being to a private game with Ivan Gutorov, and now the Tournament game to ethmah01. I just want to point something out here where he made a mistake in a game vs ethmah. He ended up winning this game, but had ethmah played this differently, I think ethmah could have possibly swept him.

I wanted to point out this mistake here in this game. shimgar is Purple. shimgar played c4 here. I think I've told you guys this before, if you are the FIRST player to play a side, and you are touching one of your own pieces when you put your piece on the board(like Purple is here), it ALMOST ALWAYS means you are playing the side incorrectly. Because it means you can be forced into an Unbalanced Edge. But in this case, it's MUCH MUCH worse than that. Because by Purple playing c4, now Green can play b5 and DELIBERATELY give up the SW corner, and if Purple takes the SW corner, Green can wedge in at a7. Green will then get the Western corner at a11.



So here's how it looked a few moves later. Now Green can pull the trigger on either a7 or b5 because of that mistake above at c4. Green played a7 here. I would have played b5 myself, because if you get the Western corner, you could work from it a bit. And if he doesn't take the bait, Green could just take the SE corner. And then Purple would be forced to move again.





Anyway, shimgar is definitely not unbeatable. Maybe he's just rusty.

Btw Great job guys!!! I think this is the most SBR players we're ever had advancing to the 2nd Round!! Getting at least 2 in the Finals would be Awesome!!

I think I'm going to be going over some games in the next couple of weeks or so, getting ready for the 2nd Round. If anyone has any games or particular moves you want me to take a look at, feel free to let me know!

Great job guys!!

[blankoblanco]

I wanted to point out this mistake here in this game. shimgar is Purple. shimgar played c4 here. I think I've told you guys this before, if you are the FIRST player to play a side, and you are touching one of your own pieces when you put your piece on the board(like Purple is here), it ALMOST ALWAYS means you are playing the side incorrectly. Because it means you can be forced into an Unbalanced Edge. But in this case, it's MUCH MUCH worse than that. Because by Purple playing c4, now Green can play b5 and DELIBERATELY give up the SW corner, and if Purple takes the SW corner, Green can wedge in at a7. Green will then get the Western corner at a11

One thing I noticed in looking over some of shimgar's games is that he's very willing to make unbalanced edges, but it seems like he's usually able to recognize situations where the opponent can't really take advantage? Or maybe I (and his opponent) just didn't see how to take advantage. But it's pretty interesting

You're definitely right that this one was punishable. Might be something to keep in mind when facing him. I assume this is where some of the differences between Hexversi and regular Reversi come into play

[JohnGalt2341]

One thing I noticed in looking over some of shimgar's games is that he's very willing to make unbalanced edges, but it seems like he's usually able to recognize situations where the opponent can't really take advantage? Or maybe I (and his opponent) just didn't see how to take advantage. But it's pretty interesting

You're definitely right that this one was punishable. Might be something to keep in mind when facing him. I assume this is where some of the differences between Hexversi and regular Reversi come into play

Yeah, I've noticed that as well. In some of his games, I feel like I could have probably beat him if he made those same types of plays against me. And I'm always hoping that I will end up in similar situations against him. But I'm usually thinking... "How come he's not making those same types of mistakes against me?"

I think the mystique is gone now anyhow at least, now that ethmah01 beat him in Tournament play, and nearly swept him for that matter. Especially considering you just swept ethmah.

[las8]

I think jook missed a winning move after I had a small mistake in the game I am playing green. So I should have both these games. Unless he's seeing something I am not.... Let's go!

[blankoblanco]

You might not have seen in your green game that jook could take k1 (the east corner) before you could? Which he rightly did. I didn't look super closely or go through all the future moves, but to me it looks pretty tough from there. Definitely a close game though, and rooting for you still!

[las8]

ya i fuked up dang

[blankoblanco]

Nothing to feel bad about Las, you've progressed quickly and are clearly already good enough to beat winning tournament players, most of whom have been playing for several years. If you stick with it I think you'll have a breakout performance soon enough!

[JohnGalt2341]

ya i fuked up dang

Nothing to feel bad about Las, you've progressed quickly and are clearly already good enough to beat winning tournament players, most of whom have been playing for several years. If you stick with it I think you'll have a breakout performance soon enough!

Indeed. The major mistake was definitely move #32. Other than that, I'm pretty sure you would have Won. I'll just point out a few moves here. You definitely got outplayed early on in this game but you managed to recover nicely. I'm no expert on openings but I usually like to try to keep my pieces in a nice tight small clump inside of my opponents pieces if possible. It's easier said than done in most games. The most important thing is, you don't want to play too big if you can avoid it. Especially if you can't keep your pieces inside of your opponents pieces. I also usually like to keep my pieces together if possible.

Okay so, I'm not pointing out mistakes here so much. I'm just pointing out what I would have done, with a major focus on FIPE's. Green played i7 here. This isn't a terrible move or anything, but I like the FIPE(Flipping Inside Pieces Entirely, meaning... you aren't flipping any exposed pieces) at i5. The reason I like i5 here over i7 is because you aren't creating any good new moves for Purple by playing i5. Whereas, by playing i7, you are creating a brand new FIPE for Purple at h8. And not to mention a new move at i8.



Here's a few moves later. Green played j5 here. Again, this isn't a terrible move or anything, but I would have played i5 as it is a FIPE and you aren't flipping any exposed pieces. Also, that Purple piece just Left of i5 is touching 4 of your Greens. I call that a KP4(Key Piece). It's generally VERY good to take out your opponents pieces that are touching 3 or more of your pieces because they hold a lot of power/mobility. You did you play i5 on your next move so, it all worked out.



Very nice side-play in this game btw.

Green played g9 here. Again, this isn't a bad move or anything, but I would have played the FIPE at e4. The bad part about this one was that Purple played e4 after you played g9, so, he took away your good move.



This is one move later. Green played g10 here, and again, this isn't a bad move or anything. But I would have waited at least one more move to play g10 because you have a fantastic FIPE to paly at d5. And the worst part about this one once again is that Purple took your move right after you played g10.



This is the one that cost you the game. Green played j6 here. I'm sure you know by now that this is no good because it allows Purple to balance out there edge at j1. Personally, I would played the FIPE at b8 here, but f2 would have worked as well. But I would have saved f2 myself until I didn't have any other good moves.



FIPE's aren't always your best moves, especially if they will be setting up your opponent for a Closed 2. There are also plenty of other circumstances where FIPE's aren't your best moves. But IMO most players should be playing FIPEs more often because they are your best moves more times than not. I specifically made up this term when teaching my brother because he just wasn't "getting it". Once he started playing "FIPE's" more he started to improve dramatically. But now I think he sort of has a hard time knowing when NOT to play them. That's the part that's sort of hard to learn.

Your side-play was fantastic in this game. There's no shame in losing to joook. He's a good player. He made it to the 3rd Round(Final 6 players out of 40) in last years Open Fast Tourney that started in January. And you totally outplayed in this game really(especially on the sides), except for move #32. Anyway, I hope this helps a bit. Let me know if you have any questions.

EDIT: I'm thinking I probably should call these types of moves FUPEs instead of FIPES for Flipping Unexposed Pieces Entirely. At the time when trying to teach my brother, I just used the first thing that popped in my head I guess, and it seemed like a catchy enough acronym.

[JohnGalt2341]

Round #2 of the current Hexversi Tournament has begun! The Section Winners for Round #1 are as follows:

1. ethmah01 5-1
1. shimgar 5-1
2. RCCH 5-1
3. mmariomm 6-0
4. joook 5-1
5. Ivan Gutorov 6-0
6. Honiahaka 5-1
7. Toptal 6-0
8. Holden2341 6-0
9. Andy 3-1
9. aragon 3-1
10. blankoblanco 4-0

The Prediction Point standings are as follows:

1. Las8 8
1. blanko 8
1. Ian 8
1. JohnGalt 8
5. Daniel 7
6. Jackpot 5

I'm not sure if betpoints are worth anything anymore, but hopefully they will be again someday soon. So, try to get your 2nd Round picks in by Friday, February 3rd. The picks are worth 2 points each this time. I will make my picks last. When the Tournament is over, if you are tied with me or have more prediction points than me, you will Win 1000 points. But if you have fewer points than me but have the most points out of everyone else playing, you will Win 500 points. But there will be only 1 Winner. Here's what the Sections look like for Round 2.

§Andy	0	0	0.00
§aragon	0	0	0.00
§Honiahaka	0	0	0.00
Ivan Gutorov	0	0	0.00

blankoblanco	0	0	0.00
Holden2341	0	0	0.00
mmariomm	0	0	0.00
§RCCH	0	0	0.00

ethmah01	0	0	0.00
joook	0	0	0.00
shimgar	0	0	0.00
Toptal	0	0	0.00

shimgar made a comment at the Hexversi Discord at the Othello Academy that Section #2 looks like the toughest overall Section. I tend to agree with that. I'd rather be in Section #1.Anyway, good luck blankoblanco!

[jackpot269]

1. ivan
2.holden2324
3.shimgar

ok GL all

[blankoblanco]

GL John!

1. Ivan
2. mmariomm
3. shimgar

[Ian]

1 aragon
2 blankoblanco
3 shimgar

GL to everyone that's still in.

[las8]

dang i thought the top two advance out of each bracket i really ****** those two games up....


andy
john
shimgar

[Daniel Espinosa]

Interesting second round!!

Ivan
Blanko
Shimgar

Gl guys!

[JohnGalt2341]

My picks:

1. Ivan Gutorov
2. Holden2341
3. shimgar

Btw, MrTopom is currently working on making a new and improved(hopefully) Hexversi AI. It's still a work in progress at this point. He was asking for my input, and if I had any suggestions and what not. If you guys have any, feel free to let me know! Here's the new link:

http://meta-site.net/hexlo0.1/

[JohnGalt2341]

Tourney update:

No, surprises in Section #1. Ivan Gutorov's only loss was a time-out. But take a look at Section #2!

blankoblanco (winner)	12	6	2.00
Holden2341	6	6	1.00
mmariomm	6	6	1.00
§RCCH	0	6	0.00

I really didn't think anyone would go undefeated in Section #2. I decided to use 3 different openings as Green, and I used my least used opening vs blanko. HUGE mistake! I'm sure I made several mistakes in both games but as Purple, I instantly regretted move #13. Great job in both of our games though! They were both frustratingly "awkward", which is my Achilles heel. Great job in your games vs Mario as well, not to mention RCCH. I also didn't expect anyone to go 0-6, as RCCH is a really good player and can compete with any of us. I feel bad for him really. Congrats to blankoblanco on Winning this Section! Well done here!

shimgar is really struggling in Section #3! These games are close! It looks like Toptal is going to beat him in a game and ethmah01 might beat him in a game as well. This looks like it's going to be a really crazy finish!

shimgar	4	2	2.00
ethmah01	0	0	0.00
Toptal	0	0	0.00
joook	0	2	0.00

[las8]

Way to go blanco!

[blankoblanco]

It's funny, early on in the round I didn't feel great about my chances. Made I move vs RCCH I would normally never make because I misread the board, thought I might go 1-1 vs mario, and didn't like my position in either of the games vs John. It felt reminiscent of the many times I've gotten my ass kicked by John before, but I think I avoided some traps that would've gotten me before

Any combination of Ivan + shimgar/ethmah/Toptal will be a really tough finals, I'll try to not get in my own head and just play my game (which I guess is mostly to be as annoying to play against as possible )

[JohnGalt2341]

Section #3 looks like a lock for shimgar now.

[las8]

Finally had the patience to do this. I used the guide you gave me John to make a stencil out of cardboard. The cuts weren't exactly straight but it was a decent guide. I made the boarders with that and then dots and lines to fill it end. You can see the top is kinda sketchy. I would start from the bottom next time. Starting boarder wasn't the right choice. As long as the base is straight it's easy from there.

[blankoblanco]

Very cool, las. Doesn't have to be perfect to be functional. Kinda wish I had one but I'm too lazy and generally not great at that type of hands-on stuff. From time to time I will simply use MSpaint to help me visualize/plan future moves in really complicated positions, but a physical board would be 10 times better

Section #3 looks like a lock for shimgar now.

Yeah, that's what I expected, just didn't want to make any assumptions

shimgar definitely has the most intimidation factor for me since I've never beaten him. But at least I know he's beatable. And I came very close to beating him before, and I'm a better player now than I was in that tournament. So I don't want to make any big deviations against him out of fear - will try to play my style and hope it works out

[jackpot269]

Very cool, las. Doesn't have to be perfect to be functional. Kinda wish I had one but I'm too lazy and generally not great at that type of hands-on stuff. From time to time I will simply use MSpaint to help me visualize/plan future moves in really complicated positions, but a physical board would be 10 times better


Yeah, that's what I expected, just didn't want to make any assumptions

shimgar definitely has the most intimidation factor for me since I've never beaten him. But at least I know he's beatable. And I came very close to beating him before, and I'm a better player now than I was in that tournament. So I don't want to make any big deviations against him out of fear - will try to play my style and hope it works out

GL Blanco you can to it. Make it 2 in a row!

[Ian]

Finally had the patience to do this. I used the guide you gave me John to make a stencil out of cardboard. The cuts weren't exactly straight but it was a decent guide. I made the boarders with that and then dots and lines to fill it end. You can see the top is kinda sketchy. I would start from the bottom next time. Starting boarder wasn't the right choice. As long as the base is straight it's easy from there.

Nicely done! Hasbro and Parker Brothers have some competition now!

[jackpot269]

Finally had the patience to do this. I used the guide you gave me John to make a stencil out of cardboard. The cuts weren't exactly straight but it was a decent guide. I made the boarders with that and then dots and lines to fill it end. You can see the top is kinda sketchy. I would start from the bottom next time. Starting boarder wasn't the right choice. As long as the base is straight it's easy from there.

looks good what did you make it on?

[las8]

Some thick paper and I used rubber cement to glue to to one of those 1/16", I would approximate, foam boards. If I ever get the time again I will try and improve.

[JohnGalt2341]

Round #3 of the current Hexversi Tournament has begun! The Section Winners for Round #2 are as follows:

1. Ivan Gutorov 5-1(timeout loss) (11-1)
2. blankoblanco 6-0 (10-0)
3. shimgar 6-0 (11-1)

The prediction point standings are as follows:

1. Daniel 13
2. blanko 12
2. Ian 12
2. JohnGalt 12
5. Las8 10
6. Jackpot 9

This Section is worth 3 Points. Try to get your picks in by Sunday, March 12th.

blankoblanco	0	0	0.00
Ivan Gutorov	0	0	0.00
shimgar	0	0	0.00

Good luck blanko!! You got this!!!

[blankoblanco]

I'll try my best! Thanks!

That being said, I'm gonna pick the opposite of what I actually want to happen. Hedging my bets

1. shimgar
2. Ivan Gutorov
3. blankoblanco

[jackpot269]

I HAD IVAN TO WIN IT ALL, FROM THE START, BLANCO I HOPE YOU WIN though buddy!! GL

1. Ivan Gutorov
2.blankoblanco
3. shimgar

[Ian]

1 blankco
2 shimgar
3 ivan

Thanks, Galt and GL blanco!

[JohnGalt2341]

I've been trying to get in contact with Daniel with no luck so... I'm not sure how much time you want to give him. I'm going to stick with my original picks. I think I'm likely out anyway, unless it goes to another round.

My Picks:

1. shimgar
2. blankoblanco
3. Ivan Gutorov

[las8]

[las8]

I had to make it better...

I used a little thicker paper to make a stencil. John sent me this website which made things really helpful https://www.redblobgames.com/grids/hexagons/.

Each side is 3cm, height is 6 cm, and width is 5.2 cm. I used the stencil to make the bottom row then drew a 3cm line up from each point. From each valley I put a little dot up 6 cm. Then connected it all with two 3cm lines. The hardest part was the point as you can see in the picture the tops aren't perfect.

I am satisfied with the results tho. I just need to figure out how I am going to laminate it. If anyone wants I can send the stencil I used in the mail. I am sure it would just be normal postage, whatever that costs these days. I am willing to make multiple if anyone is interested. With the stencil I think you could something usable.

Let me know!