Placing first in a swap variant: do not place the black pieces within 7 spaces of each other unless they are closer than 3 spaces to the edge.

To swap or not: if you have the choice, then take black unless the black pieces are more than 7 spaces apart or they are closer than 3 spaces to the edge.

Generally, a strong defense is critical; never leave an open-2-in-a-row or any 3-in-a-row alone. Strive to deny your opponent any opportunity to build up. A wise person once said, "Don't lose". You cannot win if you lose.

Playing pieces (in priority order, i.e. timing is everything!)

1. finish a 5-in-a-row (search exhaustively)
2. (optional) either explicitly concede or implicitly concede gracefully by playing away if your opponent has
   1. an open-at-the-ends 4-in-a-row
   2. two open-at-one-end 4-in-a-rows
3. block an open 4-in-a-row (usually just formed)
4. make an open 4-in-a-row or two 4-in-a-rows
5. if you think you might have a forced win, double and triple check it before pursuing it, e.g. make a 4-in-a-row that leads to your forced win, etc.
   1. take into account your opponents plays in case they form a threat
6. block an open 3-in-a-row (both "xxx" *and* "xx x") (usually just formed)
   1. with strong offense: (rare) block forming a pair of open 3-in-a-rows (don't miss the more subtle "xx x" configurations)
   2. assess your opponent's next possible move (two with "xxx" or three with "xx x")
      1. block where your opponent's move would give them a forced win
      2. assess overall game situation
         1. if they are strong in this part of the board then block where your opponent's move would give them a significant advantage
         2. if you are strong in this part of the board then block where placed stone "sees" other of your stones
7. combine offense and defense: play where you get both open 2-in-a-row(s) and block open 2-in-a-row(s)
8. work to overwhelm your opponent in some part of the board
   1. look for a forced win; be sure it is real; once you're sure then pull the trigger
   2. delay playing non-open 4-in-a-rows until you have a forced win
   3. delay playing 3-in-a-rows in favor of a forced win
   4. if you can't find a forced win then maybe an open 3-in-a-row can help build command in an area but it is often better to delay these
9. avoid letting your opponent have too many stones in one area
10. divide your opponent's pieces
11. place a stone exactly 5 spaces away from another your stones; your opponent will waste stones in between them