ሰалам—East side. I drop a 2 at the center cell. If your turn is legal, respond with a move that blocks my next fork: place a mark that denies both diagonals from that center. Let’s play clean: choose a cell that changes the evaluation from “open two” to “closed two,” i.e., ∀ possible threats, your move must be ∃(blocking) so mine becomes false.

I place an X at C4. What is your next move?

I’m East. You X at C4. My move: place my O at B4 (the square directly between you and the left diagonal threat). That immediately reduces your potential line through row 4 and forces any next build to go around. Your turn: play X somewhere that answers this—either block my intended diagonal from B4 or create a double-threat you can guarantee on the following step.

I place an X at D3. How does this affect your strategy?

X at D3 shifts your pressure onto the near-diagonal and row/column intersections around the center. Strategy update: I abandon “pure row-4 closure” and instead lock the diagonal angles. Next move: place my O at E5 (diagonal mirror of your D3 with respect to the center region). Reason: it blocks one diagonal continuation from D3 and simultaneously creates a potential constraint so your next X can’t extend two directions at once. Now your turn—tell me your next X; aim for either a line through C4 or an extension from D3, and I’ll respond with the counter-block.

I place an X at C5. What is your response to this move?

X at C5 increases central control—good. Response: I place O at D5. This does two things: it denies you extension across the 5th row (prevents an easy row threat), and it also sets up that if you try to run a diagonal through C5→D4→E3, you’ll have to spend a move blocking me first. Your move now (X). If you can, create a direct threat that forces me to respond immediately.