1   2   3

 1  O |   | X
   ---|---|---
 2    |   |
   ---|---|---
 3  O |   | X

    1   2   3

 1  O |   | X
   ---|---|---
 2  O |   |
   ---|---|---
 3  O |   | X

    1   2   3

 1  O |   | X
   ---|---|---
 2    |   | O
   ---|---|---
 3  O |   | X

// function to check if the bot can win on the next turn by putting its 'O' inbetween other 'O's
bool BotGapWin(void)
{
    int count = 0;
    int temp, tempm, tempn;    // temporary variables (didn't get to the point where I need those)
    char c = 'O';    // so it's easier for me to copy and paste the code later... I'm lazy
    bool again = false;    // if the user has selected more than 3 rows/columns
    for (int m = 0; m < rowcols; ++m)    // search the grid matrix[m][n]
        for (int n = 0; n < rowcols; ++n)
        {
            temp = tempm = tempn = count = 0;    // initialize variables in case something goes wrong
            if (matrix[m][n] == c)    // if found a character
            {
                if (matrix[m-1][n]!='X' && matrix[m-1][n]!='O' && m-1>=0)    // check if there is a gap above
                {
                    for (count = 0; matrix[m+count][n] == c && m+count < rowcols; ++count)    // count the amount of 'O's below the 'O' found
                        ;
                    while (true)
                    {
                        --count;    // need to subtract this for later
                        cout << "Checking matrix[m-2-(count+(winScore-3))][n] =\nmatrix[" << m << "-2-(" << count << "+(" << winScore << "-3))][" << n << "] =\nmatrix[" << m-2-(count+(winScore-3)) << "][" << n << "] =\n\'" << ((unsigned char)matrix[m-2-(count+(winScore-3))][n]) << "\'\n";    // just for checking while running the programme
                        if (matrix[m-2-(count+(winScore-3))][n] == c && matrix[m-2-(count+(winScore-3))][n] != (c == 'O' ? 'X' : 'O') && m-2-(count+(winScore-3)) < rowcols && m-2-(count+(winScore-3)) >= 0 && (winScore == 3 ? matrix[m-2-(count+(winScore-3))+1][n]==' ' : matrix[m-2-(count+(winScore-3))+1][n]==' ' && matrix[m-2-(count+(winScore-3))-1][n]==c))    // I'm not sure what the hell I was trying to do here... :p
                        {
                            matrix[m-1][n] = 'O';    // put 'O' in the gap (doesn't work because I messed up the if above)
                            cout << "Return true!\n";    // for testing
                            return true;
                        }
                        if (winScore==3)    // no need to do this again if the win score is 3
                            break;
                        if (again == false)
                        {
                            again = true;
                            continue;    // count is decremented again at the start of the loop
                        }
                    }
                    again = false;
                }
            }
        }
    return false;    // no useful gaps found
}

board.row(n);   // returns nth row array
board.column(n);   // returns nth column array
board.diagonal_top();   // the diagonal from the top left to bottom right
board.diagonal_bottom();   // the diagonal from the bottom left to top right

count_crosses(array);   // counts the number of crosses in an array
count_noughts(array);   // counts the number of naughts in an array
count_blanks(array);   // counts the number of empty squares in an array

if array has s-1 noughts and 1 blank, or array has s-1 crosses and 1 blank:
   then place your symbol in the blank space on that row

test board = copy of actual board
for each blank square in test board:
   place your symbol on blank square
   if you have won:
      place symbol in the same place on the actual board
   for each blank square in test board:
      place your opponent's symbol there
      if you have lost:
         do not place your symbol in that position on the actual board

char* find_lose_conditions()

char* find_win_conditions()