Slitherine

A 8 stand BG(1) is fighting two 4 stand BGs (a&b), one to its front & one on its flank/rear.

Only one stand of the surrounded BG was contacted from the rear...

>>>>>>>aaaa
>>>>>>>aaaa
>>>>>>>111111
>>>>>>>111111
>>>bb>>.1111>.
>>>bb>>.>>>>>
>>>bb>>.>>>>>
>>>bb>>.>>>>>

Becomes after impact:

>>>>>>>aaaa
>>>>>>>aaaa
>>>>>>>111111
>>>>>>>111111
>>>>>.bb1>11>.
>>>>>.bb1>>>>
>>>>>.bb.>>>>
>>>>>.bb.>>>>>

Lets say BG "a" is routed. leaveing only b and 1 in contact as above...

How does BG 1 reform if they have to do so first?

Do they all have to form column behind the one stand that is in legal contact with BG b (with a subsequent 1 file expansion)?

or Can BG1 move the two stands closest to BG "b" into an overlap position and in side edge & front corner contact with the stand already in contact whilst moving enough stands to give it rear support AND do another expansion creating something like this:

>>>11
>.bb11
>.bb11
>.bb1111
>.bb1111

Thanks

Madcam.

The position and formation after reforming must be as close as possible to the initial position and formation, which is generally held to indicate that the footprint of the BG should change as little as possible, ot its edges should move as little as possible.

In you case the reform would give you the overlap and you could then expand on the other flank, as far as I can tell from the ascii art.