Hi All,

My name is Istvan Virag, i from Hungary. I am strong pro gomoku and renju player, these games similar deep tactics games, i think you know.

In small pente, and normal pente white player has absolutelly sure victory. I can show anyone if he want. Most strongest players on the world can win as white yet online game within 30 minutes. In offline game with more time to think more easy to control the game as white and win.

So, if we want an playable pente game for experts, we have to change opening rules!!!
Gary option may be good for some month or years, but will be temporary only. Because we will find strong 2th white move in not same line in K10. Same line not important, only the connection important in the 3th white move.

So, we need implement swap color option!!!
If we changed rules, we need to to create long term rules!!!
If somebody want learn rules, play small pente.
If somebody want play original pente, play pente.
If somebody is expert and want high level game, play pro-pente.

Oleg Stepanov has a good idea for equalizing well the game.
Here are rules:

Players are initially referred to as "tentative Ohs" and "tentative Eks".

Move#1
Ohs first move of the game is automatically made to the center K10.

Move#2.
tentative Eks has to make the second move into the central zone 3x3 (J-L, 9-11)

Move#3.
tentative Ohs has to make the third move into the central zone 5x5 (H-M, 8-12)
Move#4a. Tentative Eks may swap sides after the 3rd move.

If no swap was made after the 3rd move, no further opening rules are
applied.

If the swap was made:
Move#4b. Tentative Ohs (now Eks) makes an unrestricted move.
Move#5a. Now, Tentative Eks (now Ohs) may swap sides.
Move#5b. Ohs makes an unrestricted move and no more opening rules are applied.


These rules very good, because Renju International Federation thinking same to change renju opening rules to the Stepanov rules.
These rules not drop old theory, and not drop Gary's idea!!!

Cheers, Istvan Virag