INTRODUCTION
As my labmates and I were traveling to an out-of-state conference two years ago, I was devouring Play Hive Like a Champion by <PERSON>, the 2011 World Champ. I had purchased Hive Carbon for Christmas just a few months prior, but it had already captivated me. It resembled my childhood favorite of Chess, especially with the similarities of several pieces:
After spending many years in the Hive community, I now confidently recognize Play Hive Like a Champion as a landmark of strategy. Most importantly, it identified many foundational aspects. Formations, such as the gate, ring, elbow, and pocket. Maneuvers, such as the pin, cover, block, and fill. Eight years after its initial release, this book is still an excellent guide. I have enjoyed going back through it in preparation for the current review. Fast forward to today. Jewdoka (<PERSON>), the 2017 World Champ, has just published The Canon of Hive: Groundwork.
<PERSON> benefited greatly not only from <PERSON>'s book but also from seven more years of strategy development with the Hive legends. Consequently, The Canon of Hive: Groundwork refines and expands the ideas presented in Play Hive Like a Champion. Perhaps the biggest evolution has been the discretization of the levels of Hive learning:
Each level of this pyramid corresponds to a chapter in the book and builds upon the levels beneath. In this review, I'll give a brief idea of each one to whet your appetite. As a disclaimer, I've helped edit this book for many months. While that may have jeopardized my objectivity, it also well equipped me to summarize the book.
LEVEL 1: PRINCIPLE
Interestingly, the first level does not deal with the basics of strategy or even the rules. It covers the ideals of the player. Perhaps more than any other chapter, this choice illustrates the mind of <PERSON>, who is a practitioner of <PERSON>. These ideals all have Japanese names but cover relatable concepts. I especially like how a Hive story illustrates each one. Here's the first:
LEVEL 2: FUNDAMENTAL
The second level explores the concepts that originate first from the rules. Perhaps more than any other chapter, this one feels like a refinement of <PERSON>'s ideas. For example, <PERSON> expands upon the elbow, pocket, and ring with the hub, cluster, shell, rack, comb, and cavern. Likewise, <PERSON> clarifies the various options for the pin into true pins, false pins, and anchors. We also get some huge new fundamentals, such as the recovery, escape, and choke. Importantly, many of the new terms resulted from the Pillbug, which released after the first edition of <PERSON>’s book. 581
Here are some example fundamentals in their easy-to-parse layout:
LEVEL 3: TECHNIQUE
The third level, which is the core of the book, covers techniques. These well-established, short sequences of play are the Lego bricks of Hive. In general, I'm impressed with the organization of The Canon of Hive: Groundwork... but this chapter is outstanding. It really does a great job in grouping and adding to the ideas of Play Hive Like a Champion.
These 40 techniques... yes, 40!... are neatly subdivided into five categories: attack, complication, counter, expansion, and sacrifice. Think of these sections as moods that you should adopt during gameplay. If your opponent is weak, attack. If you cannot see how to gain initiative, complicate or expand. If you can see a way out but don't yet have the initiative, sacrifice. At all times, look for opportunities to counter.
This chapter well illustrates how Groundwork benefits people of all skill levels. Before reading this book, I was knocked out of the final 16 of the World Championship by the 3rd-place finisher. Not too shabby. Still... the ideas of complication and expansion really resonated with me. They were particular weaknesses of my game. So while I cannot tell you which parts of the book will most help you, I guarantee that there will be parts. And as you get stronger, other parts will appeal. This is definitely not a one-time read.
Also, know that this book mainly provides the tools for forging your own creative style. Combine ideas and even cultivate your own! Right up front, it says: "This book won't tell you what to do; it will help shape how you think. It will systemize Hive in a way that promotes individual growth." You might know certain things that you like and want to strengthen. For example, part of my style is to maximize the effect of weak pieces. In Chess, my favorite piece is the pawn. In Hive, it's the Spider. 366