A geometric proof of the flyping theorem (Q6889773)

In 1898, William Guthrie Tait conjectured that a reduced alternating projection of a prime knot or link, \(K\), minimizes crossing number. In addition he conjectured that any two reduced alternating projections of \(K\) have the same writhe and are related by a sequence of ``flype'' moves. A \(flype\) move begins with a \(flype \; circle\), that is, a circle \(c\) in the plane of the diagram that is disjoint from \(K\) except at one crossing and exactly two other points. The flype move is the result of rotating the portion of the knot or link bounded by \(c\) through 180\(^o\). The flype move does not change \(K\), but does change the diagram. The crossing on \(c\) is transported to the other two points intersected by \(c\).\N\NThe geometric approach to characterizing and studying alternating knots was pioneered simultaneously by \textit{J. E. Greene} [Duke Math. J. 166, No. 11, 2133--2151 (2017; Zbl 1377.57009)] and \textit{J. A. Howie} [Geom. Topol. 21, No. 4, 2353--2371 (2017; Zbl 1375.57011)]. Both employed the two checkerboard surfaces obtained from a decomposition of the plane by the \(4\)-regular graph underlying the knot diagram into black and white regions. The checkerboard surfaces were used to characterize alternating knots (Howie) and prove Tait's first conjecture (Greene). Kindred builds on these techniques to prove all three of Tait's conjectures on this topic. The proofs are geometrically insightful and rest heavily on Menasco's crossing ball structures to describe isotopies and replumbing-moves.