Hive Opening you must know: Z Quick Ant Attack (Hive Openings Explained #1)

[@davebeard7409]

Extremely informative. Please keep up the good work. Hoping to see a "C" opening video soon. I can see that the shared kill spot might lead to a draw but I assume the top players know how to avoid this.

[@FrascoAdAbstra]

It is still a debated topic, I think the stats would confirm that draw rate is higher, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the game is less interesting!

[@benharris3285]

@@FrascoAdAbstraI would like to see some stats on whether C openings are actually more drawish. Because my feeling is that C openings lead to very sharp positions where often one side wins (usually the side with the hex trap). And Z openings are more likely to lead to stretched positions which can also be drawish (although certainly not always).

[@OrdepCubik]

Very good video and very well explained all the lines, and I think also Jewdoka liked it. 🤣🤣

[@FrascoAdAbstra]

His book will be great but in the meanwhile.. 😁

[@StrategicGamesEtc]

I love this! I was just asking a random player I played on BGA if they knew of any good opening resources, and then this comes out. :D Thank you; I'm looking forward to rest of the series (if you continue).

[@FrascoAdAbstra]

thanks to you! Glad you enjoyed it :) Hopefully I'll continue with other openings!

[@lackingoxygen7170]

The quodlibet black opening with mosquito and pillbug is so strong for defense. When I play this variation I also try to put a grasshoper in line with my ladybug and queen for antispawn defense (grasshoper replacing the pillbug) If my opponent allows me to, this becomes the ultimate defense fortress, you concede all the tempo but it becomes really hard for opponent to end the game.

[@FrascoAdAbstra]

exactly! It's way more solid than it seems, and allows quite a few counterattacking chances if white is not careful. It deserves a video itself :)

[@StrategicGamesEtc]

Overview of the Lines Covered in this Video (using Direction-Based Notation by Pavel Soukenik) (variations prior to 4. AxQf ignored as atopical) (please comment any mistakes on my part) Defining Line: 1. L L 2. A+Lm M+Ln 3. Q+Ls Q+Mr 4. AxQf Black Diamond Setup (Main Line): 4. ... A+Ms Beetle Attack: 5. B+Ar 5. ... MxBf 6. A+Lr 6. ... AxA2f?! 7. B+A1n +/- B+Qa 8. M+Qr A+La 9. MxQm LxA2m 10. B1s A1xBn 11. A+Qn Bf 12. A2xQa +- 6. ... P+Qa 7. A2xAa Ms 8. A+Lr A+Mr 9. A3xA2f A+Pn 10. M+Qr A1xMr 11. P+Qm 11. ... B+A3f 12. PLr Ba 11. ... B+A3m? 12. PLr! Bn 13. Mr +/- 5. ... AxBf 6. B+An A+Ms 7. B1m A2xQm 8. A+Lr P+Ms 9. M+B1n B+A2s 10. AxBm B+A2r 11. Mm B1a 12. Ms B1n 13. P*Qr 5. ... A+Ma 6. Ba P+Mn 7. A+Lr A2xAf Mosquito Bid: 5. M+Ar 5. ... MxMf 6. P+Mm!? 6. B+An AxBn 7. P+Mm! B+Mn 8. A+Lr 5. ... AxMf 6. B+An! A+Ms 7. Bm A+Ma 8. P+Mm! 8. ... MxQm? 9. Bs! +/- 8. ... A1xQm? 9. xA1xQr! +/= 8. ... B+A2n 9. G+Qs 9. Pa!? Ant Offer: 5. A+Ar MxA2f 6. M+Qr P+Qa 7. B+Lr Spider Attack: 5. S+An?! MxQm! 6. SxAn B+Ms 7. A+Lr Bn 8. A2xBa A+Ms -/+ Rock-solid Anti-spawn Setup: 5. P+Qs A+Ma Flank Pillbug: 4. ... P+Ms 5. P+Qm A+Ma Cap Off: 4. ... MxAf 5. A+Lr P+Qa 6. M+Qr +/= Quodlibet Variation: 4. ... MxLr! 5. B+An P+Mf

[@user-hd3vy7hf8c]

Where do you guys play online?

[@FrascoAdAbstra]

Either boardgamearena.com/ or www.boardspace.net/english/index.shtml but a new platform dedicated only to Hive is coming soon ;)