Game guide · ZBHQK
The Hex playbook
Take a moment to check the current turn. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Play on a 7×7 hexagonal board. Blue connects top to bottom; red connects left to right. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
7×7 Hex with optional opening swap, basic local computer strategy and same-device two-player mode. Not internet matchmaking.
Something to practise
Take a moment to check the current turn. After the opening stone, the second player can swap colours and goal edges instead of placing a stone.
The goal to keep in mind
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Work through the instructions
- Play on a 7×7 hexagonal board. Blue connects top to bottom; red connects left to right.
- Place one stone in an empty cell. Once placed, stones stay fixed.
- After the opening stone, the second player can swap colours and goal edges instead of placing a stone.
- The first connected path across the assigned edges wins. Select computer play or two players on one device before a round.
How to interact with the game
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Tap an empty hexagon. Swap sides is available only to the second player immediately after the first stone. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Work through an example
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. A blue chain joining the top and bottom edges wins even if it bends across the board. Cells sharing only a point are not neighbours.
Watch out for this
Take a moment to check the current turn. Two touching corners are not a shared hexagon edge. A legal connection uses one of each cell’s six edge neighbours. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Questions that come up during play
On this page, what is the aim of Hex?
Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. You can start a new round from the game controls.
How do the controls work?
Tap an empty hexagon. Swap sides is available only to the second player immediately after the first stone. A new round resets the current game.
When I start, can you show an example?
A blue chain joining the top and bottom edges wins even if it bends across the board. Cells sharing only a point are not neighbours. The game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, which mistake should I avoid?
Two touching corners are not a shared hexagon edge. A legal connection uses one of each cell’s six edge neighbours. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, what rules and limits are used here?
7×7 Hex with optional opening swap, basic local computer strategy and same-device two-player mode. Not internet matchmaking. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, how many people can play here?
Computer or same-device 2 players. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. No download or player account is required.
During a round, which sides am I connecting?
The caption shows your current colour. Blue links top and bottom; red links left and right. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, what changes when I swap?
The players exchange colours and goals. The opening stone stays on the same cell. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, can I move a placed stone?
No. Each turn places one new stone on an empty cell. The game is played locally in your browser.
Can I play with another person?
Yes, by selecting two players on this device. There is no online room or remote opponent. The instructions above use these same rules.