Kuratowski chains (Q1898717)

If \(H\) and \(H'\) are subgraphs of \(G\), both isomorphic to subdivisions of \(K_5\) or \(K_{3,3}\), then the following are equivalent: (1) There is a sequence \(H= H_1, H_2,\dots, H_k= H'\) of subgraphs of \(G\), each isomorphic to a subdivision of \(K_5\) or \(K_{3,3}\) and ``slightly'' different from its predecessor; (2) \(H\) and \(H'\) are not ``separated'' in \(G\) by a vertex separation of order \(\leq 3\). This result is eventually used by the three authors in their proof of Sachs' embedding conjecture [J. Comb. Theory, Ser. B 64, No. 2, 185-227 (1995; Zbl 0832.05032)].