| 1. Strategy and Tactics |
| • |
You generally want to control an island
whenever you can, but controlling the right
islands is just as important as controlling the most islands.
Often, the critical island is one both players need to
gain the upper hand. It is usually at the intersection
of lines extending from the most strongly held pairs of
islands. |
| • |
You must balance gains and losses in contested
areas. If an island is not yet controlled, the player
with the majority of pegs on that island usually has a
sizable advantage there. If you are at a big disadvantage
on one island, you likely will be better off conceding
control there so that you can make gains in other areas
of the board. |
| • |
Sometimes you can get an advantage by giving
up control of an island, even allowing your opponent to
gain control there. You may find it more important to
gain control of a different island, and need to move a
peg away from an island you already control in order to
do so. |
| • |
Only one player can control an island at
one time. If you have three pegs controlling an island,
your opponent can not simultaneously form a controlling
triplet there. If you have additional pegs on such an
island, you can safely move them to other islands knowing
that you will remain in control of the original island. |
| • |
Always consider how any move will shift
the focus of the game. You must balance your strategy
between attack and defense, and keep alert to the situations
all over the board. The advantage can change quickly. |
| • |
Every game of FIRE and ICE must have a winner. |
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