Hex
Overview
Hex is a classic abstract strategy game invented by Piet Hein in 1942 and independently by John Nash in 1947. Two players compete to form an unbroken chain of stones connecting their two opposite sides of the board.
Objective
•
Red (Player 1) must connect the top edge to the bottom edge.
•
Blue (Player 2) must connect the left edge to the right edge.
Setup
The game begins with an empty 11×11 hexagonal grid.
Gameplay
1.
Players alternate turns, starting with Red.
2.
On your turn, place exactly one stone of your color on any unoccupied cell.
3.
Stones cannot be moved, removed, or captured once placed.
The Pie Rule (Swap Rule)
To balance the first-move advantage:
1.
Red places the first stone anywhere on the board.
2.
Blue then chooses one of two options:
•
Play normally — place a Blue stone on any empty cell.
•
Swap — claim Red's stone as their own. The stone stays in place but becomes Blue. Red then takes the next turn.
This forces Red to make a moderate opening move.
Winning
The game ends immediately when a player completes an unbroken chain of their stones connecting their two designated edges. The chain can follow any path — it does not need to be straight.
No Draws
A draw is mathematically impossible in Hex. The only way to block your opponent is to complete your own connection. Every game ends with a winner.