After analyzing the board, there isn’t an immediate win for O, but I see that the O pieces in row 3 (at columns 2, 3, and 4) form a strong, almost complete horizontal line. The only missing piece there is at column 1. Although dropping in column 1 now won’t immediately place an O in row 3 due to gravity (it will land in row 5), it begins filling that column. With further moves, we can force a situation where an O can eventually land in row 3, completing the four‐in-a-row. Additionally, column 1 is central enough to support potential diagonal and horizontal threats while not opening up any immediate winning opportunities for our opponent. For these reasons, I choose to drop my piece in column 1.