ABSTRACT
This chapter provides more strategic observations and introduces the Hex theory of virtual connections and inferior cells. As Piet Hein and Jens Lindhard remarked in the Polygon salons, and John F. Nash mentioned to Gardner in their evening discussion, Hex play relies on side connections. A challenge in playing Hex is that there can be many move options. The manuscript also introduces virtual connection, a local subgame between two locations in which a player can force a connection even if the opponent plays first. Sometimes semiconnections can be combined into virtual connections. Analogous to a virtual connection, a semiconnection is a local subgame in which a player can force a connection when moving first. Familiarity with side connections allows a player to join a side from as far away as possible. Familiarity with side connections allows a player to join a side from as far away as possible.
