Quantum Tic-Tac-Toe

If the force is the central tactical concept, then a fork is the central strategic concept. A fork is simply two simultaneous forces. Since the opponent cannot respond to both in a single move, whichever one isn't blocked, the aggressor can complete and win. Therefore, regardless of the defensive choice made, a win is ensured. In Classical Tic-Tac-Toe there is only one fork, two 2-rows established in the course of a single move, as shown in the figure.

O must play in both squares 6 and 9, and since that is not possible, whichever one she does not play in X will play in, and win. Is it possible in Quantum Tic-Tac-Toe to set up the classical fork, and if so, is it an effective or ineffective fork, or does the effectiveness depend on the situation on the rest of the board?

The following figures show the force situations considered unique by our taxonomy. The first two involve either a classical mark or two spooky marks within a rank, where another pair of spooky marks is also in the same rank - inline with each other. In these examples X is threatening to play in the squares identified with a small open circle (any two of them) and O must play there first.

The next three figures show out of line situations, either a classical mark inline or a pair of spooky marks inline with two pair of out of line spooky marks, or one situation where all three pairs of spooky marks are out of line. X can play in any pair of squares with either open or gray circles, but O can defend only by playing in a pair of squares marked with open circles, since her play will form a cyclic entanglement that X gets to collapse. Unless both her spooky marks are in the first column, X can collapse her outside that rank and get his 3-row.

The sixth figure shows a force move on a collapse. While O has two choices for the collapse, since one of them gives a 3-row to X, she really has only one choice.

The last two figures show a force situation mediated by an external entanglement. X's moves are entangled with O's in the last column. As before, O can only defend by playing in the squares marked with open circles. However, in this situation, X's strongest move is to play in both squares marked with the gray circles. Can you see why?