PAPER DECISION STUDIES
Four in a Row — Foundations: read the board before moving
Four starting positions, then four separate answer sheets. The IDs match the online studies.
Two players share a six-row, seven-column board. Orange starts, then Orange and Violet alternate dropping one token into a non-full column. It lands in the lowest empty square. Four or more consecutive tokens of one player horizontally, vertically or diagonally wins. A full board without a winner is a draw. This classic version has no token removal, wrapping or free placement above a gap. Row 1 is the top and row 6 the bottom.
Printing and using this pack
Use Print or Save as PDF. The first page contains instructions, the next four pages contain the tasks, and the remaining pages contain answers. An answer may continue onto another page. Check your print preview before choosing a page range. Print only the challenge pages if you want to keep answers separate.
Write a move and a reason before consulting the key. Rows count from the top and columns from the left. Four in a Row and Reversi diagrams state whose turn it is. The full online comparison includes all legal first moves; the answer sheets include the complete first-move comparison or a checked route.
CHALLENGE · four-01
Where will this token land?
Orange to move. Predict the landing square in each open column. Test a drop and undo it. A floating empty square is not a playable destination.
My move or route: __________________________________________
My reason: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
CHALLENGE · four-02
A stack changes the destination
Violet to move. Predict the landing square in each open column. Test a drop and undo it. A floating empty square is not a playable destination.
My move or route: __________________________________________
My reason: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
CHALLENGE · four-03
Take the win on this turn
Violet to move. Find a move that wins immediately before considering a defensive move.
My move or route: __________________________________________
My reason: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
CHALLENGE · four-04
Check every winning column
Violet to move. Find a move that wins immediately before considering a defensive move.
My move or route: __________________________________________
My reason: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
ANSWER · four-01
Where will this token land?
The table checks the lowest empty square in each column. Landing correctly does not establish that the column is strategically good.
Every legal first move
| First move | Immediate effect | Checked consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Column 1 | Lands at R5C1. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 2 | Lands at R5C2. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 3 | Lands at R5C3. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 4 | Lands at R6C4. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 5 | Lands at R6C5. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 6 | Lands at R6C6. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 7 | Lands at R5C7. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
ANSWER · four-02
A stack changes the destination
The table checks the lowest empty square in each column. Landing correctly does not establish that the column is strategically good.
Every legal first move
| First move | Immediate effect | Checked consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Column 1 | Lands at R5C1. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 2 | Lands at R5C2. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 3 | Lands at R5C3. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 4 | Lands at R5C4. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 5 | Lands at R6C5. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 6 | Lands at R6C6. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
| Column 7 | Lands at R5C7. | No opponent win in one move; no forced next-turn win established. |
ANSWER · four-03
Take the win on this turn
Immediate winning columns: 2, 3. A win ends the round before the opponent can answer.
Every legal first move
| First move | Immediate effect | Checked consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Column 1 | Lands at R2C1. | Forces a win on your next turn against every legal reply. |
| Column 2 | Lands at R3C2. | Wins immediately. |
| Column 3 | Lands at R3C3. | Wins immediately. |
| Column 4 | Lands at R3C4. | Forces a win on your next turn against every legal reply. |
| Column 5 | Lands at R5C5. | Forces a win on your next turn against every legal reply. |
| Column 6 | Lands at R6C6. | Forces a win on your next turn against every legal reply. |
| Column 7 | Lands at R5C7. | Forces a win on your next turn against every legal reply. |
ANSWER · four-04
Check every winning column
Immediate winning columns: 2, 3. A win ends the round before the opponent can answer.
Every legal first move
| First move | Immediate effect | Checked consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Column 1 | Lands at R1C1. | Forces a win on your next turn against every legal reply. |
| Column 2 | Lands at R3C2. | Wins immediately. |
| Column 3 | Lands at R3C3. | Wins immediately. |
| Column 4 | Lands at R3C4. | Opponent can win next in column 1. |
| Column 5 | Lands at R4C5. | Opponent can win next in column 1. |
| Column 6 | Lands at R6C6. | Opponent can win next in column 1. |
| Column 7 | Lands at R5C7. | Opponent can win next in column 1. |