<p>Here is a quote from book <a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/148006095X" rel="noreferrer">Play Hive Like a Champion: Strategy, Tactics and Commentary by Randy Ingersoll</a> with foreword by John Yianni, Designer of Hive.</p>

<p>According to section 2.2, page 6:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Note that the ability to climb on
  the hive can be thought of as a circumvention of the Freedom
  to Move rule, but while moving on the same level the Beetle
  is subject to the Freedom to Move rule.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>It is pretty clear, that contrary to Steve's answer, the yellow route is <strong>not</strong> a legal move.</p>

<p>There is also a good discussion of beetle move rules <a href="https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/332467/how-are-beetles-affected-sliding-rule-when-crawlin" rel="noreferrer">here</a></p>

<p>See similar question answered <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1765031/beetle-move-hole" rel="noreferrer">here</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-16T14:32:49.033Z
I don't find the rules to be as clear as that quote. I would tend to interpret the rules the other way; see [my answer](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/a/42857/11743).
AndyT
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-16T20:39:06.537Z
@AndyT There are also numerous computer implementation of this game. I know web one on [Boardgame Arena](https://en.boardgamearena.com/#!gamepanel?game=hive) and there is also a [Steam game](https://store.steampowered.com/app/251210/Hive/). They all seem to agree with this quote. It seems that this is how the game is played by most people. In private games one of course is free to interpret and even change the rules they way they like ;)
Andrew Savinykh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-16T23:47:05.403Z
Given a clearly written rule that says the beetle is exempt and a commentary that contradicts that rule, I'm sticking to the rule as written. Commentary is fine to resolve ambiguities, but the rule is not the least bit ambiguous.
Steve B
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-16T23:58:08.877Z
@SteveB Given how both you and AndyT misinterpreted it, I would say it's ambiguous.
Andrew Savinykh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-17T00:19:32.773Z
I didn't misinterpret it. Your premise is false. At best your reasoning is circular.
Steve B
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-17T00:23:20.610Z
@SteveB speaking hypothetically, if you received a clarification from the game designer, that the rules as intended is NOT how you are reading them, you would still continue to argue, that in this case they are badly written, right?
Andrew Savinykh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-17T08:04:56.160Z
@SteveB - I'd say the wording *is* ambiguous. Reading the "Freedom to move" rule on its own implies the Beetle could do the yellow move; reading the Beetle rules on their own implies it couldn't.
AndyT
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-16T02:10:33.277Z
2018-07-17T10:49:37.087Z
2018-07-17T10:49:37.087Z
Andrew Savinykh
<p>From the English rules published by the publisher <a href="https://www.gen42.com/games/hive" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Beetle</strong></p>
<p>The Beetle, like the Queen Bee, moves only one space per turn. Unlike any other creature though, it can also move on top of the Hive.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>There are further words on what the Beetle does when on top of the Hive, but they're not relevant here.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Freedom to move</strong></p>
<p>The creatures can only move in a sliding movement. If a piece is surrounded to the point that it can no longer physically slide out of its position, it may not be moved. The only exceptions are the Grasshopper, which can jump into or out of a space, and the Beetle, which can also climb up or down.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The key discussion point here is the word &quot;also&quot; in &quot;the Beetle, which can also climb up or down&quot;. &quot;Also&quot; meaning &quot;as well as&quot;, but &quot;as well as&quot; what? The Beetle can do some things as well as being able to do what the Grasshopper can do, i.e. jump into or out of a space as well as climbing up or down? Or the Beetle can climb up or down as well as being able to slide?</p>
<p>My native English speaker interpretation of that wording is that the Beetle can jump into or out of a space as well as being able to slide. The Beetle can climb up <em>or</em> down, but that doesn't imply it can do both in one turn. Therefore the move in yellow would be <strong>disallowed</strong>.</p>
<hr />
<p>From the same rules, under the <strong>Moving</strong> section it states:</p>
<p>**If a piece is the only connection between two part so the Hive, it may not be moved. (See 'One Hive rule' p9)</p>
<p>That rule on p9 stating:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>One Hive rule</strong></p>
<p>The pieces in play must be linked at all times. At no time can you leave a piece stranded (not joined to the Hive) or separate the Hive in two.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In an example the One Hive rule has the text:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Moving the black Queen Bee to a position where it re-links the Hive is also an illegal move, as the Hive is left unlinked while the piece is in transit.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I see no difference between your second diagram and the example move: you're taking a piece that is the only link, and moving it to an adjacent position. While moving it appears that the moving piece is not considered to be connected to the Hive. Therefore your red move would be <strong>disallowed</strong>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-16T20:37:29.167Z
I don't think your yellow path interpretation is correct. The grasshopper has to jump whereas the Beetle can shift normally _or_ step up or down
Veskah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-30T06:30:42.460Z
The Beetle moves in a sliding movement like the Queen but also can jump up and down the hive.  Pretty sure that's what the 'also' means.  The yellow move is not allowed.  This is how gameboardarena.com works
MStodd
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-12T09:15:19.727Z
Edited to cover Veskah and MStodd's comments, as I now believe them to be correct.
AndyT
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-16T14:31:13.657Z
2022-05-12T09:14:33.983Z
2022-05-12T09:14:33.983Z
AndyT
<p>No.</p>

<p>From the <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/Hive_FAQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FAQ</a> on boardgamegeek.com: If a beetle wants to move from A to B by passing between C and D, then check the height of those four spaces (with the Beetle removed) and refer to this validation method:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If the shortest stack of tiles of C and D is taller than the tallest
  stack of tiles of A and B, then the beetle can't move to A. In all
  other scenarios the beetle is free to move from B to A.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>In your example, the start and end points A and B are both height zero (with the beetle removed), while the adjacent points C and D are both height 1. So MIN(C,D) > MAX(A,B), so the beetle can't move from A to B.</p>

<p>And note that this method also confirms the red two-move path in the first picture is valid.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-18T13:51:23.010Z
2018-07-20T14:02:11.827Z
2018-07-20T14:02:11.827Z
L. Scott Johnson
<p>The beetle can use the yellow route. The rules expressly exempt the beetle from the "freedom to move" rule.</p>

<p>In re the 2nd question, that move would not temporarily break the hive, but it would not be legal. The rule on page 3 is that "[i]f a piece is the only connection between two parts of the Hive, it may not be moved."</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-16T01:59:48.953Z
I think this answer is wrong. The beetle's exempt only works because it climbs on top. When it does not climb on top it still has to obey that rule. @sahimat
Andrew Savinykh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-19T22:39:34.653Z
Definitely wrong.
L. Scott Johnson
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-14T06:37:25.403Z
2018-07-14T06:37:25.403Z
Steve B
<p>I took an image from another question and roughly repurposed it in paint. Here's my question:</p>

<p>Can a beetle move through gaps that would otherwise restrict a queen/ant/spider?</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/OuLDR.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/OuLDR.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>That is, can the circled beetle get to the desired field in 1 move (yellow track), or would he need to first climb over one piece (as illustrated in the red).</p>

<p>If that is legal, it brings me to my follow up question. Could the beetle move in the following way, or would it temporarily break the hive in between transition (1 hive rule) ?</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/zCCwz.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/zCCwz.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>It appears that here, the beetle would be in constant contact with the hive, even though that beetle is clearly the anchor.</p>

<hive>
Beetle movement clarification
sahimat
# Beetle movement clarification

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-07-14)

I took an image from another question and roughly repurposed it in paint. Here's my question:

Can a beetle move through gaps that would otherwise restrict a queen/ant/spider?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/OuLDR.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/OuLDR.jpg)

That is, can the circled beetle get to the desired field in 1 move (yellow track), or would he need to first climb over one piece (as illustrated in the red).

If that is legal, it brings me to my follow up question. Could the beetle move in the following way, or would it temporarily break the hive in between transition (1 hive rule) ?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/zCCwz.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/zCCwz.jpg)

It appears that here, the beetle would be in constant contact with the hive, even though that beetle is clearly the anchor.

**Tags:** hive


---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-07-16. Score: 13

Here is a quote from book [Play Hive Like a Champion: Strategy, Tactics and Commentary by Randy Ingersoll](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/148006095X) with foreword by John Yianni, Designer of Hive.

According to section 2.2, page 6:

> Note that the ability to climb on
> the hive can be thought of as a circumvention of the Freedom
> to Move rule, but while moving on the same level the Beetle
> is subject to the Freedom to Move rule.

It is pretty clear, that contrary to username_3's answer, the yellow route is **not** a legal move.

There is also a good discussion of beetle move rules [here](https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/332467/how-are-beetles-affected-sliding-rule-when-crawlin)

See similar question answered [here](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1765031/beetle-move-hole)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I don't find the rules to be as clear as that quote. I would tend to interpret the rules the other way; see [my answer](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/a/42857/11743).  
> **username_1**: @username_2 There are also numerous computer implementation of this game. I know web one on [Boardgame Arena](https://en.boardgamearena.com/#!gamepanel?game=hive) and there is also a [Steam game](https://store.steampowered.com/app/251210/Hive/). They all seem to agree with this quote. It seems that this is how the game is played by most people. In private games one of course is free to interpret and even change the rules they way they like ;)  
> **username_3**: Given a clearly written rule that says the beetle is exempt and a commentary that contradicts that rule, I'm sticking to the rule as written. Commentary is fine to resolve ambiguities, but the rule is not the least bit ambiguous.  
> **username_1**: @username_3 Given how both you and username_2 misinterpreted it, I would say it's ambiguous.  
> **username_3**: I didn't misinterpret it. Your premise is false. At best your reasoning is circular.  
> **username_1**: @username_3 speaking hypothetically, if you received a clarification from the game designer, that the rules as intended is NOT how you are reading them, you would still continue to argue, that in this case they are badly written, right?  
> **username_2**: @username_3 - I'd say the wording *is* ambiguous. Reading the "Freedom to move" rule on its own implies the Beetle could do the yellow move; reading the Beetle rules on their own implies it couldn't.  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-07-16. Score: 3

From the English rules published by the publisher [here](https://www.gen42.com/games/hive):

> **Beetle**
>
> The Beetle, like the Queen Bee, moves only one space per turn. Unlike any other creature though, it can also move on top of the Hive.

There are further words on what the Beetle does when on top of the Hive, but they're not relevant here.

> **Freedom to move**
>
> The creatures can only move in a sliding movement. If a piece is surrounded to the point that it can no longer physically slide out of its position, it may not be moved. The only exceptions are the Grasshopper, which can jump into or out of a space, and the Beetle, which can also climb up or down.

The key discussion point here is the word "also" in "the Beetle, which can also climb up or down". "Also" meaning "as well as", but "as well as" what? The Beetle can do some things as well as being able to do what the Grasshopper can do, i.e. jump into or out of a space as well as climbing up or down? Or the Beetle can climb up or down as well as being able to slide?

My native English speaker interpretation of that wording is that the Beetle can jump into or out of a space as well as being able to slide. The Beetle can climb up *or* down, but that doesn't imply it can do both in one turn. Therefore the move in yellow would be **disallowed**.

---

From the same rules, under the **Moving** section it states:

\*\*If a piece is the only connection between two part so the Hive, it may not be moved. (See 'One Hive rule' p9)

That rule on p9 stating:

> **One Hive rule**
>
> The pieces in play must be linked at all times. At no time can you leave a piece stranded (not joined to the Hive) or separate the Hive in two.

In an example the One Hive rule has the text:

> Moving the black Queen Bee to a position where it re-links the Hive is also an illegal move, as the Hive is left unlinked while the piece is in transit.

I see no difference between your second diagram and the example move: you're taking a piece that is the only link, and moving it to an adjacent position. While moving it appears that the moving piece is not considered to be connected to the Hive. Therefore your red move would be **disallowed**.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: I don't think your yellow path interpretation is correct. The grasshopper has to jump whereas the Beetle can shift normally _or_ step up or down  
> **username_5**: The Beetle moves in a sliding movement like the Queen but also can jump up and down the hive.  Pretty sure that's what the 'also' means.  The yellow move is not allowed.  This is how gameboardarena.com works  
> **username_2**: Edited to cover username_4 and username_5's comments, as I now believe them to be correct.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2018-07-18. Score: 3

No.

From the [FAQ](https://boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/Hive_FAQ) on boardgamegeek.com: If a beetle wants to move from A to B by passing between C and D, then check the height of those four spaces (with the Beetle removed) and refer to this validation method:

> If the shortest stack of tiles of C and D is taller than the tallest
> stack of tiles of A and B, then the beetle can't move to A. In all
> other scenarios the beetle is free to move from B to A.

In your example, the start and end points A and B are both height zero (with the beetle removed), while the adjacent points C and D are both height 1. So MIN(C,D) > MAX(A,B), so the beetle can't move from A to B.

And note that this method also confirms the red two-move path in the first picture is valid.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-07-14. Score: -3

The beetle can use the yellow route. The rules expressly exempt the beetle from the "freedom to move" rule.

In re the 2nd question, that move would not temporarily break the hive, but it would not be legal. The rule on page 3 is that "[i]f a piece is the only connection between two parts of the Hive, it may not be moved."

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I think this answer is wrong. The beetle's exempt only works because it climbs on top. When it does not climb on top it still has to obey that rule. @username_0  
> **username_6**: Definitely wrong.  

---

