Dots and boxes problem #511

The task

To move

Light

Difficulty

Medium

Goal

take 5 of 9 boxes

9 boxes are still unclaimed. The best line gives the side to move a margin of 1. A 4 × 4 board in the chain phase. Count chains before you draw anything.

What to look for

• Decline the last two boxes of a chain to keep control.
• Control: make your opponent open the long chains.

How the answer is checked

There is exactly one first move that forces the result; any other first move allows the defence to escape. Moves that keep the forced result are accepted later in the line, and a move that loses it is taken back with a short note.