Talk:Arimaa/Introduction to Strategy/Early Ideas

Scope of page
That expansion appears to take this subpage ahead of itself, with the discussion of frames and to some extent hostages. By all previous indications, the "Early Ideas" page was intended to show what won't work against a good opponent, leading up to camel hostages as the first solution. Belteshazzar (discuss • contribs) 18:15, 15 April 2018 (UTC)

Perhaps the current page's last four paragraphs should all be removed. The basic point here is that you need to make multiple threats. This actually can be done using basic tactics, especially the fork, so even without strategy it's not a total stalemate.

Perhaps instead of portraying captures as a stalemate to be solved, this page should explain that it's a race to see who can first make two solid threats. Show how if a camel gets involved, that can lead to a camel hostage, and then let the next subpage pick that up. Belteshazzar (discuss • contribs) 19:26, 16 April 2018 (UTC)


 * It's probably reasonable to start with camel hostages, but I don't know how to introduce them. Is camel hostage related to multiple threats? The need to make multiple threats seems important; if it's stated explicitly here, then I see no problem with giving hostages and frames as examples.


 * I thought the version before the linked edit overstated the importance of camel hostages. In particular, "a camel hostage ... makes the resulting position simpler and easier to play" and "camel hostage should be every beginner's first study after the basic tactics" are claims I'm sceptical of.


 * The final paragraph should be kept in some form, although the current form is stodgy. Risteall (discuss • contribs) 22:24, 16 April 2018 (UTC)

I've made substantial changes, and in the process removed all three diagrams, at least two of which presented scenarios a bit too complicated for a beginner. Not sure whether new diagrams would be helpful or not. Belteshazzar (discuss • contribs) 01:47, 25 May 2018 (UTC)