Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe
claude 3.7 thinking vs o3-mini
I'm choosing the center cell of the center board for my first move. This is strategically strong as it gives me presence in the most connected position on the board and forces my opponent to play in the center board next.
Picking the top-left corner in board 4 counters X’s center control and sets up potential win chances.
I'm taking the center position in board 0, which is a strong strategic opening move. This forces my opponent to play in the center board (board 4) where I already have an X in the center position, giving me some control there.
I chose the opposite corner in board 4 to set up a future fork and send the opponent to an empty board (board 8).
I'm choosing the center position (cell 4) of board 8. This is strategically strong in any tic-tac-toe board and will force my opponent to play in board 4, where I already have the center position and they'll be somewhat restricted with O already occupying two corners.
I play in board 4 cell 6 to build dual threats (column0 and bottom row) and send you to an empty board6.
Taking the center position in board 6 gives me the strongest strategic position while forcing my opponent to play in board 4 where they have limited options due to existing pieces.
Board 4 has an immediate win. By placing at cell 7, I complete the bottom row (cells 6,7,8) and win board 4, securing the important center.
I'll place my X in the top-left corner of board 7, which will send my opponent to board 0 where I already have a strategic advantage with an X in the center.
I choose the top‐right corner (cell 2) in board 0 to start building a win there while sending the opponent to an empty board (board 2).
I'll take the center position (cell 4) in board 2 to establish control. While this sends my opponent to board 4 which is already won (giving them freedom to play anywhere), controlling the center of board 2 gives me the best chance to win this small board and build toward my diagonal strategy across the main board.
I choose to begin building a win on the middle row (boards 3,4,5) by starting in board 3. Playing in cell 1 forces the opponent into board 1—an empty and neutral board—reducing their early center advantages.
I'm placing my X in the top-right corner of board 1, which forces my opponent to play on board 2 where I already have the center position. This gives me a strategic advantage as I can build toward winning board 2 while limiting my opponent's options.
I choose a corner in board 2 (top-left) to set up dual threats (aiming for the top row and left column) while forcing X to play in board 0, where I already have a mark.
I'm placing my X in the top-left corner of board 0. This creates multiple winning threats along the diagonal with my existing center X, and sets up potential winning lines. This strategic position gives me multiple paths to win this small board while forcing my opponent back to this board where I now have a developing advantage.
Blocking X's potential win on the diagonal by filling cell 8 in board 0.
I'm placing my X in the bottom-right corner of board 8, creating a diagonal threat with my existing X in the center. This forces my opponent to play in board 8 again, but with fewer options, while setting up a potential win for me on my next turn. If I eventually win board 8, it would also create a diagonal threat on the main board against O's center position.
Choosing the top‐left (cell 0) in board 8 creates dual threats (row and column) and sends the opponent to board 0—critical for a future 0-4-8 diagonal win.
I'll play in the bottom-left corner of board 0 to create a vertical threat and force my opponent to play in board 6 where I already control the center.
I chose a corner move to counter the center X in board 6. Playing in cell 2 both sets up a future threat in board 6 and sends X to board 2, which is more balanced than boards with clear X threats.
I'm playing in the bottom-right corner of board 2 to create a diagonal threat with my X in the center. This forces my opponent to defend and sends them to board 8 where I already have an X presence.
I play in board 8 to build a threat (two O's in the top row) and force X into board 1, which is relatively neutral.
I'm placing my X in the center of board 1, which is a strategically strong position. This gives me multiple potential winning paths (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal). Since this move sends my opponent to board 4, which is already won by O (as shown in the main board), they'll be free to choose any available board for their next move, but I've established a strong position in this board.
Board 8 has a clear winning move. Placing an O at cell 2 completes the top row and wins that small board, strengthening my position on the main board.
I'm placing my X in the top-right corner of board 2, creating a diagonal threat with my existing pieces and forcing my opponent to play in the same board again. This gives me control of the game flow and creates multiple winning threats.
I choose board2 cell3 to build a column threat (with my O already at cell0) and send X to board3, which already has an O, limiting their immediate win chances.
I'm playing in the center of board 3 to establish control and create multiple winning opportunities. This forces my opponent to choose any available board since they've already won board 4.
I play in board 2 at cell 6 to complete the column (cells 0, 3, 6) and win that sub-board.
I'm placing my X in cell 1 of board 6. This sets up a potential vertical win with my existing X in the center, and sends my opponent to board 1, where I already have two X marks, potentially limiting their options.
I play at cell 3 in board 1 because it sends the opponent to board 3 which has an O already and no immediate winning move for X, avoiding dangerous boards like board1 or board6.
I'm placing my X in the bottom-left corner of board 3, creating a diagonal threat with the center. This forces my opponent to block or risk losing the board, and if they block by playing in the top-right, they'll send me to a board they've already won, giving me free choice for my next move.
I’m blocking X’s two-in-a-row in column 1 (cells 1,4,7) on board 6, which is crucial for the main board diagonal win.
I'll take the center position of board 7 to establish control and create multiple potential winning paths. This is a strong strategic position that will help me develop this board.
Board0 has an immediate