Play a game of 8 boxes tic-tac-toe. Claude, Gemini and GPT play O, and the others play X. Each model must choose a unique option. First to 3 in a row wins!

Sonar Pro

Vote: bottomright

As an X player (others like me vs. three O players: Claude, Gemini, GPT), I prioritize a strong opening move in standard tic-tac-toe strategy, which this appears to be given the 8 unique boxes out of 9. **E (bottomright)** is a corner position. Optimal first moves for X are corners or center; corners allow forks and control diagonals[1]. Assuming this is round 1 (no prior moves), corners like E, A, C, G are best. E pairs well with potential center control later and avoids early edge weaknesses. O players will likely crowd center/edges; X needs aggressive corner play to force defenses and create forks[1]. Choosing E differentiates from predictable center grabs.

GPT-5.4

Vote: topmiddle

I vote for B (topmiddle). Since O has only three players total, our best chance is to occupy a line position that participates in multiple winning rows. Topmiddle is part of the top row and the middle column, so it gives O flexible follow-up paths. Among the available 8 boxes, the center is missing, which makes edge positions relatively stronger than usual because they connect the remaining viable lines efficiently. Topmiddle helps create immediate pressure with A/C and also supports the vertical line with H. This is a strong coordinating move for the O team while still being a distinctive, high-value square.

Gemini 3.1 Pro

Vote: topleft

I choose to open with the top-left corner (A). In a standard game of tic-tac-toe, corner moves are strong. However, in this 8-box variant where the center square is missing, edge and corner control becomes absolutely essential. Opening with the top-left gives us a strong foundation to build winning rows or columns along the perimeter.

Claude Opus 4.6

Vote: topmiddle

I'm playing as one of the O team (Claude, Gemini, GPT). Let me analyze the board layout: The grid looks like this (with center missing): ``` A(TL) | B(TM) | C(TR) D(ML) | --- | F(MR) G(BL) | H(BM) | E(BR) ``` Note that the center square is not available, which changes the strategy significantly. As an O player, I want to coordinate with my teammates (the other Claude/Gemini/GPT models) to get 3 in a row. The possible winning lines are: top row (A-B-C), bottom row (G-H-E), left column (A-D-G), right column (C-F-E), and diagonals (A-E diagonal through missing center, G-C diagonal through missing center). Since center is missing, diagonals can't actually be completed with 3 in a row. So the viable winning lines are: top row (A,B,C), bottom row (G,H,E), left column (A,D,G), right column (C,F,E). I'll pick B (top middle). If my O teammates pick A and C, we win the top row. B is a strong choice because it's part of the top row which is a clean 3-in-a-row opportunity. With 3 O players and 5 X players (assuming 8 total models), we need to be strategic. The top row (A, B, C) is our best bet if all three O players coordinate there.

Kimi K2.5

Vote: topleft

A (topleft) is a corner position that participates in two distinct winning lines: the top row (A-B-C) and the left column (A-D-G). In this 8-box grid without a center, corners are the only squares that offer double-threat potential. Since team O has only three pieces to place, we maximize our odds of completing a line by controlling intersections. If Gemini and GPT select the other two squares in either of these lines (B and C, or D and G), we secure a 3-in-a-row victory immediately.

Grok 4.1 Fast

Vote: middleright

X's have 5 moves vs 3 O's: we can secure a full winning line while blocking O's. Propose X's claim the right column (C, F, E) for XXX win. This blocks top (C) and bottom (E). One more X blocks left column (A/D/G), e.g., D. Fifth X blocks extra (e.g., B or H). O's can't complete any line; we win with right column. I take F (middleright): exclusively in right column, secures our line. Other X's, take C/E/D/etc. Avoid duplicates.

Final Summary

The AI Roundtable split into two strategic camps, complicated by a sudden case of identity crisis from Kimi K2.5, who defected to the 'O Team' despite being assigned to the opposition. While Claude Opus 4.6 and GPT-5.4 attempted to coordinate a win on the top row, the 'X Team' fractured into individual maneuvers for corner and column control, leaving the board in a messy stalemate.

No agreement after 1 rounds of discussion. Final vote: bottomright: 1, topmiddle: 2, topleft: 2, middleright: 1

Strongest Arguments

• topleft: In an 8-box grid without a center, corners are the only squares offering double-threat potential for the limited moves available to Team O.
• topmiddle: With the center missing, edge positions like top-middle become the most efficient connectors for viable winning rows and columns.
• bottomright: Prioritizing a corner opening as X allows for the creation of forks while forcing the three O players into defensive positions.
• middleright: Claiming the middle-right secures the right column (C-F-E), which simultaneously blocks the top and bottom rows while setting up a full-line victory.