Tips meadow

• Because your opponent can only place 2 stones on each turn, she can’t smother any group touching at least 3 empty spaces. So try to make sure your most important groups touch least three empty spaces.

• When you make a size-5 group, it can no longer evolve, which reduces your flexibility. Don’t make a size-5 group unless what you gain from it is more valuable than the lost flexibility.

• If your opponent has two size-5 groups of different colors that both touch the same empty space, she can’t place a stone there without overgrowing and losing one of her groups. So, if one of your groups touches that same empty space, your opponent can’t smother it without overgrowing and losing a group.

• Likewise, if you have more than one size-5 group, and they’re different colors, try to prevent those groups from touching the same empty spaces.

• The board consists of concentric rings of hexagons. The the second-outermost ring seems important, because groups on that ring are hard to capture without losing a lot of stones

• Early in the game, try playing only one of your colors. Then later in the game, use your second color to “fill in the gaps” as you try to capture your opponent stones.

• The size-4 pinwheel shape seems powerful. Try building it often.