Step 1: Open the Minimax Tic-Tac-Toe Simulation Screen

The interface is divided into three main sections:

• Game Board (Left Panel): Displays the 3×3 Tic-Tac-Toe grid where the user plays as X.
• AI Search Trace (Middle Panel): Shows the Minimax decision process, including depth levels and MAX/MIN evaluations.
• Minimax Tree (Right Panel): Visualizes the game tree explored by the AI with evaluation values.

Step 2: Enable Step-by-Step Minimax Mode

By default, the Step-by-Step Minimax checkbox is OFF:

• The game runs in normal mode.
• You can play directly by clicking empty squares, and the AI responds immediately after each of your moves.

To analyze the Minimax algorithm in detail:

• Turn ON the Step-by-Step Minimax checkbox.

Once enabled:

• The Next Step and Play Move buttons become Active.
• The board enters Step Mode, allowing controlled, step-by-step execution of the algorithm.
• The game starts with Your turn (X).

Step 3: Execute Step-by-Step Evaluation

After making your move (X) on the game board:

1. Click Next Step to reveal the next stage of the Minimax evaluation.

   • The AI Search Trace panel (middle) updates to show:

     • Current depth in the search tree.
     • MAX (AI) or MIN (Human) role for the current level.
     • Evaluated move scores as they are computed.

   • The Minimax Tree panel (right) highlights the node currently being evaluated.

2. Observe how values are calculated at leaf nodes (terminal game states) and propagated upward to the root through MAX and MIN selections.

3. Repeat clicking Next Step as needed to follow the complete evaluation process.

4. When the full evaluation is complete (AI has selected the optimal move), click Play Move to execute the AI's chosen move.

Step 4: Execute the AI Move

• Click the Play Move button.

Once clicked:

• The AI (O) executes its optimal move as determined by the Minimax algorithm.
• The game board updates immediately to reflect the AI’s placement.
• The AI Search Trace (middle panel) and Minimax Tree (right panel) display the final evaluated decision and scores.
• Control returns to Your turn (X), allowing you to make the next move.

Step 5: Play and Analyze the AI Move

• Click the Play Move button to allow the AI (O) to execute its optimal move.

Once the move is executed:

• The game board (left panel) updates with the AI’s placement (O mark).

• The Your turn (X) indicator reappears, returning control to you.

• Observe the AI Search Trace panel (middle):

  • Under AI Move Options, all evaluated move options are displayed with their final scores.
  • The selected optimal move is highlighted (typically in green), accompanied by a detailed explanation of why the AI chose this move (including ROOT details and score maximization reasoning).

• Observe the Minimax Tree panel (right):

  • The ROOT (AI Choice) node updates to reflect the chosen move.
  • Corresponding MIN (Human) and MAX (AI) branches display the fully evaluated scores.
  • Hover over nodes to highlight the corresponding squares on the game board.

Step 6: Observe Final Game Outcome

• Continue the game by alternating:
  • Make your move (X) on the board.
  • Use Next Step (if desired) to watch the AI's evaluation, then click Play Move for the AI's response.

• Repeat until the board is full or a player wins (no further moves possible).

• The final result is displayed prominently on the game board (e.g., "Game Over: Draw", "You Win!", or "AI Wins!").

• The AI Search Trace and Minimax Tree panels now show the complete evaluation path for the entire game.

• Interaction is limited: only the Reset Game button remains active to start a new game.