Intervals in the Hales-Jewett Theorem

The Hales–Jewett Theorem states that any r–colouring of [m]^n contains a monochromatic combinatorial line if n is large enough. Shelah’s proof of the theorem implies that for m = 3 there always exists a monochromatic combinatorial line whose set of active coordinates is the union of at most r intervals. I will present some recent findings relating to this observation. This is joint work with Nina Kamcev.