Othello Game Strategy Essays - Abstract Strategy Games, Go, Reversi

Othello: Game Strategy OTHELLO PROJECT Othello is a game very similar to tic tac toe. In both games you must flank your opponent diagonally, vertically, horizontally, or orthogonally (any row or line.) A strategy without voluntary pass is described here. (voluntary pass is where you give up one move, or lose a turn.) THE COMPUTER AND ITS MOVES The computer will at the beginning of the game make short moves, which are moves which include less than 5 stones changing hands. These are setup moves. You, on the other hand, make long moves for points, while the computer is sitting, waiting patiently for you to finish. So, do not make very long moves at the beginning of the game. Keep yourself to making short moves, and NEVER put a stone where the computer has another one on the end. Example:You see a row of 5 black stones, with a white stone on the end, and beside that white stone a black. You of course, would put a white stone at the end with the 5 black stones, but that is a bad mistake. Go to the side with the one black (a setup move so the computer cannot capitalize when you turn 5 black stones white, and the computer your seven whites black. Always play within your set "square". If you had on the bottom row 3 white, and on the second row 2 blacks, you would only play within that designated square, which is 3 x 3 stones. (see diagram.) This ensures that the computer can only play one stone past the square at any time, which will help you in predicting where the computer will move and a basic strategy. Always try to keep yourself to one move to win (if you could have two moves in a row, you would win something to zero.) Don't have long rows of white connecting to one black. If you do, the computer can get up to 6 in one move. GAME OVERVIEW STRATEGY FIRST MOVE:Always move north or south. North and south means top or bottom, and east and west means horizontally. Then calculate where your square will be and wait for the computer to make its move. SETUP MOVES:For the next 10 or so moves, or until the board is about half full, restrict yourself to only short moves. These will setup yourself for long ones. Also, keep yourself to one move to win. The one move to win system is effective for winning close to moderately close games. Eventually the computer will make one long move that will mess up your short setup moves, but after that go for blocking the computer instead of points. If you can successfully block the computer, going for points will be unnecessary. The points will make themselves if you block properly. Also, once in a while fall behind to setup moves if you are stuck. Be careful that you do not fall behind too much though! MOVES FOR POINTS:After the board is about half full, or you've made about 10 or so moves, it is time for getting some points. If you have setup yourself properly, you should see several long moves which will effectively obliterate the computer. After this stage, you should be leading by at least fifteen points or more. When you have reached that goal (I would go for more, at least twenty, if possible) there should be less than 7 spaces on the board. If there isn't, keep going until there is. FINAL BLOW:Now you should just watch yourself. Don't make foolish moves where the computer can connect for more than 5 points. If it was inevitable, just leave it. If you then keep blocking properly, you should win easily. NOTES You are using the same strategy the computer would use on you. (basically the same.) The computer has the advantage of passing moves whenever it wants, but it will not likely unless the game is close or hopeless, or there are no legal moves for it to make. You can make yourself lose something to zip. Completed short moves by the computer can easily be changed into long ones, by the same method described above. (page one, paragraph two.)

Brazillian Pepper essays

Brazillian Pepper essays The word exotic has always called to mind visions of the fascinating, unusual, curious, sophisticated, and even the bizarre (Kramer, 1998:5). This term seems to allure people to investigate, comprehend, and even collect exotic paraphernalia-including plants. The phrase exotic plant does sound glamorous, but not to the native plants in Florida. Native plants live well with each other, sharing food, water, shelter, and space. When brought to a different environment these now non-native plants have trouble adapting with native plants. They take control of the space provided and begin to overcrowd the area, taking out many natives. Non-native species also lack natural controls such as disease and predation, which helps to keep a balance between species. Exotic plants were first introduced to south Florida in the late 1800s and the population of them has been increasing ever since (Public Affairs Office, 1997a, 1997b). Most nonindigenous plants feel welcomed in the Sunshine States partly tropical climate. They are able to stand the heavy rainfalls and Floridas partial droughts (Kramer, 1998). One non-native species that has grown throughout south Florida, and has even been called the Florida Holly, is quickly spreading (Public Affairs Office, 1997b). The south Florida Water Management District surveyed an area of 284,708 Hectares taken over by Brazilian pepper in 1993. This evergreen shrub had the largest range out of six other species surveyed and has almost completely displaced native understory plants (Kramer, 1997). The Brazilian pepper (schinus terebinthiflius) was introduced in the nineteenth century as an ornamental plant, and did not begin to be pervasive until the 1900s-50 years later (Kramer 1997; Public Affairs Office, 1997b). Local distribution of its seeds is primarily by racoons and opossums, while birds spread the seeds long-distances. The Brazilian pepper does not require bar...

Brazillian Pepper essays

Brazillian Pepper essays The word exotic has always called to mind visions of the fascinating, unusual, curious, sophisticated, and even the bizarre (Kramer, 1998:5). This term seems to allure people to investigate, comprehend, and even collect exotic paraphernalia-including plants. The phrase exotic plant does sound glamorous, but not to the native plants in Florida. Native plants live well with each other, sharing food, water, shelter, and space. When brought to a different environment these now non-native plants have trouble adapting with native plants. They take control of the space provided and begin to overcrowd the area, taking out many natives. Non-native species also lack natural controls such as disease and predation, which helps to keep a balance between species. Exotic plants were first introduced to south Florida in the late 1800s and the population of them has been increasing ever since (Public Affairs Office, 1997a, 1997b). Most nonindigenous plants feel welcomed in the Sunshine States partly tropical climate. They are able to stand the heavy rainfalls and Floridas partial droughts (Kramer, 1998). One non-native species that has grown throughout south Florida, and has even been called the Florida Holly, is quickly spreading (Public Affairs Office, 1997b). The south Florida Water Management District surveyed an area of 284,708 Hectares taken over by Brazilian pepper in 1993. This evergreen shrub had the largest range out of six other species surveyed and has almost completely displaced native understory plants (Kramer, 1997). The Brazilian pepper (schinus terebinthiflius) was introduced in the nineteenth century as an ornamental plant, and did not begin to be pervasive until the 1900s-50 years later (Kramer 1997; Public Affairs Office, 1997b). Local distribution of its seeds is primarily by racoons and opossums, while birds spread the seeds long-distances. The Brazilian pepper does not require bar...

Family Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Family Business - Essay Example The paper tells that the family business is an enterprise governed and managed for the purpose of pursuing and developing the vision of the business â€Å"held by a dominant coalition controlled by members of the same family or a small number of families† for its potential sustainability across generations of the family, sometimes in business association with some of its extended families. Most definitions of family business centre around the kinship of family members owning and managing a venture, state Rogoff and Heck. According to Habbershon, Williams and MacMillan, it is the intersection between family members, the family, and the business that epitomises the distinctive set of characteristics that explain performance differences between family and nonfamily businesses. The intersection may also be a source of conflict within the family and the business. In the domain of family business leadership transition, Hartel, Bozer and Levin consider an adaptation of executive coac hing to be helpful in the process. Family systems are important in family enterprises. Further, family businesses form the foundation stones of evolving economies state Gomez-Mejia, Takacs, Nunez-Nickel et al as well as Hunter and Wilson. Two-thirds of organisations are family-owned and managed. The fact that this segment of the economy is facing an impending crisis is disquieting, particularly in view of the fact that there is little governmental assistance for family business owners to resolve the emerging threat successfully. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the theory of family business, examine the crucial role of the family system in family business, and determine whether the adaptation of executive coaching can successfully support leadership transition in family enterprises. The Theory of Family Business The lenses through which academic research and literature on family businesses are viewed and interpreted is the theory explaining different asp ects of family business management. Research helps to reinforce theory. For example, Sharma, Chrisman and Chua (2003) use the theory of planned behaviour to help explain the extent to which family businesses engage in succession planning. At the same time, a broad theory of family business is more important because it will help in setting the parameters for research in the domain of family businesses. A broad theory will also function as a tool for retaining, expanding, and propagating knowledge on the field. The theory of the family firm explains the concept of the family business, the reason for the existence of the same, and the determinants of their scale and scope. It is a comparatively new area of study in relation to rigorous theoretical investigations. However, there are identifiable trends in defining family business, and in differentiating between family firms and non-family firms, thereby addressing the existence of family firms, the factors that support their survival, g rowth, and the creation of long-lasting economic and non-economic value. Habbershon (2006) as well as Chrisman, Chua and Litz (2003) reiterate that the family business exists because of the reciprocal economic and non-economic value created through the integration of family and business systems. The joining of the two systems leads to capabilities of â€Å"familiness† that cannot be duplicated, and which contribute to the survival and growth of family businesses. A resource-based view of the family business explains how it identifies and develops capabilities of familiness, how they transfer those capabilities to new leaders and new family business structures, and their methods of renewing their capabilities during the transformation in circumstances and conditions. On the other hand,

The Visit to Kenya Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Visit to Kenya - Essay Example The country had a remarkable and beautiful climate. The wide distribution of green plants all over the place shocked me. The trees and birds were beautiful against clear bright blue skies, this contrasted sharply with Saudi Arabia, and I realized that Africa is so much blessed with a remarkable natural environment. They do not require artificially controlled environments in their homes. The temperatures are exceptionally cool at all times of the day, and I appreciate my cousin for insisting that I visit him in this wonderful part of the globe. I had always been fascinated by the majestic lions since I learned about them in Pre-School and I now had an opportunity to spot one in the wild. After traveling for several hours in the Tsavo plains, our tour guide suddenly told our driver to slow down, and he pointed towards a large tree. The sight was beautiful; I saw the largest lion I have ever seen resting under the tree. We saw very many other beautiful animals in the wild. The clouds opened on our way from the recreational area. It was such a superb thing with a mixture of so many pleasant smells around me. I was taken back to reality when our vehicle skidded and came to a sudden stop, and our driver declared that we were mud stuck. We alighted from the vehicle and Mabrouk solemnly declared that only a tow truck could remove the tour van from the muddy pothole. After several minutes, a number of Africans came clad in bright red clothing and after talking with the driver, for a minute, they succeeded in removing the van from the pothole.

U.S History Review Essay Example for Free

U.S History Review Essay It is important to study the history of the U. S because it helps us to learn about the people of America and even about American societies. It also helps us understand how these people or the societies usually behave. This is because history tends to base evidence on analyzing and contemplating about how societies function not only nowadays, but from the past. Examining the history of the U. S can help us understand the changes of the society from the very past up to the state they are in today (Crabtree, 1993). Further, studying U. S history can make us understand Americas’ political progress from the past to date. We thus can be informed on the shape of the politics in the past and the major developments. Moreover we can even look into the factors that caused changes in the various American political parties. Conversely, historical analyses of voter turnout in key American elections and the associated evolution can make us understand some of the problems American people face today. This can also enable us to understand the present political health of the U. S (Steele, 2009). Moreover, we can understand economic changes in America and factors or policies that the government used to see their economy rising. This information can also help any other nation to improve their economy (Crabtree, 1993). Conversely, the cultural values of the American people can be understood by studying the history of U. S. We can understand the issues of the past by having a look at how people used to live in the past ages which serve as a sense of excitement and beauty (Steele, 2009). Studying the history of America can make one grow psychologically. This can broaden one’s mind besides making somebody to understand how they can solve problems as they come using facts that were used by philosophers in the past (The Manhattan Institute). References Crabtree, D. (1993). The Importance of History. Retrieved 8th June 2010, from http://www. mckenziestudycenter. org/society/articles/history. html Steele, D. D. (2009). The Importance of Local History. Charleston, SC: BiblioBazaar, LLC. The Manhattan Institute. Why Study War? Victor Davis Hanson, City Journal Summer 2007. Retrieved 8th June 2010, http://www. city-journal. org/html/17_3_military_history. html

French Essays Egalitarian Political Regimes

French Essays Egalitarian Political Regimes Explain and Discuss the Fragility of Egalitarian Political Regimes, as Represented in BOTH the Lettres Persanes AND the Contrat Social. Though The Spirit of Laws is probably the best-known work of Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, his Lettres Persanes (Persian Letters) is another famous work in which he explores, with perhaps more depth, the notion of equality and egalitarian political rule. A generation later, John Jacques Rousseau would appear on the political landscape and present his own ideas on the same topic. Chief to be explored among his writings will be the Contrat Social (Social Contract) in which Rousseau lays out with some detail a discussion of the nature of egalitarian political regimes and explores various strengths and weaknesses of them. Montesquieu and the Fragility of Egalitarianism In the beginning of the 89th letter, Montesquieu claims that â€Å"A Paris rà ¨gnent la libertà © et l’à ©galità ©.† Birthrights, social ranks, and even military victories did not set men apart (in terms of class distinctions) in Paris during his writing. This was a thing to be praised by Montesquieu. He saw too much in the world that lent itself away from egalitarianism, at least insofar as the right of persons to be equal is concerned. It will be beneficial here to take a moment to set up Montesquieu’s views on the republic to better lay a foundation for his comments on equality. In Book 11 of the Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu explores the (then) unique situation in England of a monarchy controlled, to an extent, by a constitution, and it that portion of the Spirit of the Laws Montesquieu is chiefly impressed by and concerned with the Englishman’s â€Å"liberty.† As regards the very nature of a republic, Montesquieu argues in the Spirit of t he Laws that there are three basic types of governmental systems. The despot rules by inculcating fear in the people. The monarch does better and rules by a sense of honor and by â€Å"fixed established laws.† Both of these types of governing are fairly stable. One does not need to necessarily think of them as intrinsically fragile in the sense in which, say, the last political option (i.e., the republic) may be thought to be fragile. The despot, so long as he maintains fear amongst the peoples, has nothing to fear himself. Apparently for Montesquieu, it is the monarchy which is the first and primary type of government. He writes in Letter 131 of the Lettres Persanes, â€Å"Les premiers gouvernements du monde furent monarchiques.† Coming on the heels of this original type of government would be both the despotic rule and the republic, the latter of which comes by â€Å"chance,† he indicates. Apparently, despotism amounts to little more than a degeneration of an original monarchy. But, the republic is a genuine advancement of the Greeks. However, this advancement brings with it an intrinsic tendency toward reversion to that which preceded it, either monarchy or despotism, and this fact may be due to the complexity of the republic in both its nature and principles. For Montesquieu, one of the things that may typify the fragile nature of the republic is that it â€Å"cannot survive without what Montesquieu calls political virtue.† It is this requirement that the citizens must embody this political virtue (without which the republic could not endure) that lends to the fragile nature of republics. If the people cease persisting in this virtue, the republic could not endure, for the republic exists and continues only so long as the habits and eventual character of political virtue are exemplified in the people. In the republic, there is no one-to-one correspondence with what exists in despotism or a monarchy: a strong central authority. Therefore, the people must, by loving egalitarianism and the laws, arrange a situation for themselves wherein the needs of the good are served, even if at the expense of the needs of the many. This is exactly what Greece did, he argues, and it is incumbent upon any subsequent attempts at a republic to do the same. â€Å"L’amour de la libertà ©, la haine des rois, conserva longtemps la Grà ¨ce dans l’indà ©pendance, et à ©tendit au loin le gouvernement rà ©publicain.† Rousseau and the Fragility of Egalitarianism One could hardly resist beginning the discussion on Rousseau with his famous opening to chapter one of the Contrat Social. â€Å"Lhomme est nà © libre, et partout il est dans les fers.† How this particular situation came to be, Rousseau does not attempt to answer. Rather, he focuses his attention on how it is that man can get back to his original (or perhaps â€Å"primal†) state of freedom. If man in a state of servitude obeys his masters, he does well. However, if he can break free from that state, he does better still because to be free is man’s natural and original state, seen most evidently within the rites of passage intrinsic to family life. Although it could not be rightly said that Rousseau takes no points of departure from the thought of Montesquieu, there are nevertheless significant points of agreement between them on the idea of the republic. Rousseah offers as his main contribution to the discussion over the republic that a return to the ancient (i.e., Greek) polis is the most advisable course of action. Yet, an intrinsic tension to this suggestion is that Rousseau simultaneously advocates the idea of the â€Å"natural law† quite strongly. According to Helena Rosenblatt, for Rousseau the natural law is a very self-interested concept, which is at least prima facie at odds with the republican ideal of each person being grounded in virtue and community as that which adheres the republic together and maintains it. The more refined concept of the â€Å"general will† complicates the matter further and makes egalitarianism a la republicanism an even more fragile thing. Rousseau’s â€Å"General Will† In his writings prior to the Social Contract, Rousseau had explicitly indicated that he denied that man was naturally and easily a sociable creature. No, man’s first inclinations are not toward the public good, but in the direction of particular self-interests and this is evident by the historical facts that â€Å"les longs dà ©bats, les dissensions, le tumulte, annoncent lascendant des intà ©rà ªts particuliers et le dà ©clin de lEtat.† So, what takes place amidst the social contract is the necessity of all citizens when laying down public policy to not act in merely self-interested ways. The good of the many, the common good, was to be the overriding concern of all citizens in this regard, and this is the â€Å"general will† of Roussea, which he explores and elaborates in great throughout the Social Contract. But, what makes this concept of the â€Å"general will† even more tense and lending to the creation of a fragile situation for egalitarianism i s the paradoxical idea related to literally enforcing that citizens act in accord with the general will. The general will is not merely reducible to the â€Å"will of all people combined.† No, it is the â€Å"right† will which ever seeks the good of the whole State and never acts in a merely self-interested way. It is basically the will of God then, which must ever be right and, since God is omnibenevolent and always has the interests of everyone in mind, this is in line with the general will as Rousseau explicates it here. He writes, â€Å"Afin donc que le pacte social ne soit pas un vain formulaire, il renferme tacitement cet engagement qui seul peut donner de la force aux autres, que quiconque refusera dobà ©ir à   la volontà © gà ©nà ©rale y sera contraint par tout le corps: ce qui ne signifie autre chose sinon quon le forcera dà ªtre libre.† This is the key to the whole enterprise. It prevents the social contract from becoming, as he says, â€Å"un vain formulaire† (an empty formula). But, of course, although such an aspect of the overall contract is certainly sensible, how it is appropriated lends itself to fragility. The line is not always so clear when one is acting merely in his own self-interest and when he is acting in respect to the common good (or both simultaneously, which would apparently not violate the general will). It is not necessarily contradictory in its premise, but it is certainly paradoxical, as Rousseau surely felt. Conclusion Both Montesquieu and Rousseau in their respective days were vastly aware with the attending problems associated with the reintroduction of the ancient ideas of the republic and egalitarianism. However, they each firmly believed that whatever problems may accompany the advent of such in Modernity, it would certainly be worth it. For both of them, as most Westerners today would greatly sympathize, any form of egalitarianism via a republic, whatever fragility may accompany it, would be greatly preferable to either a monarchy or (especially) a despotic State. Works Consulted Krause, Sharon. The Politics of Distinction and Disobedience: Honor and the Defense of Liberty in Montesquieu, Polity 31, 3 (1999): 469-99. Grant, Ruth Weissbourd. Hypocrisy and Integrity : Machiavelli, Rousseau, and the Ethics of Politics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1999. Morris, Christopher W. The Social Contract Theorists : Critical Essays On Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. Lanham, Md.: Rowman Littlefield, 1999. Riesenberg, Peter N. Citizenship in the Western Tradition : Plato to Rousseau. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1992. Rosenblatt, Helena. Rousseau and Geneva : From the First Discourse to the Social Contract, 1749-1762. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997. Shklar, Judith. The Spirit of the Laws: necessity and freedom. In Montesquieu, pp. 93-110. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987.