Symple Hex

In this BGG thread, Benedikt Rosenau suggests a Hex variant featuring the Symple move protocol with its embedded balancing mechanism. Benedikt is Symple's co-inventor. He describes the game thus:

_"It is a straightforward translation. Standard board for Hex, and the goal is to connect the two opposing edges of your color, just as in Hex.

On a move, a player may either
1. place a new group (i.e. a stone) of his color on the board or
2. grow any or all existing groups of his color by one stone.

White plays first. Turn-order balance: once and only once during the game, Black may grow all existing groups and place a new group, but only if neither player has grown any groups so far."_

I'm not such an outstanding Hex player as Benedikt, but I do play a lot of Symple (far more than Havannah actually). That's why I'm curious to learn about Hex players' experiences with the game. The move protocol can also be applied to Y.

I forgot to mention: Benedikt suggests 11x11 as a good size to experiment with the game.

sounds like fun :) where can I try it?

We don't have an applet at mindsports, that is: we have a Hex applet but it isn't adapted to the Symple move protocol. As it is, I guess you'd have to play it over the board or in iGGC's sandbox.

Still no applet, but we've got a page for it:
Symple Hex

Symple Hex can now be played at mindsports now, as well as its square cousin Scware.

That was sloppy, but you'll get the point I guess :)