In optimization, 3-opt is a simple local search algorithm for solving the travelling salesperson problem and related network optimization problems. Compared to the simpler 2-opt algorithm, it is slower but can generate higher-quality solutions. 3-opt analysis involves deleting 3 connections (or edges) in a network (or tour), to create 3 sub-tours. Then the 7 different ways of reconnecting the network are analysed to find the optimum one. This process is then repeated for a different set of 3 connections, until all possible combinations have been tried in a network. A single execution of 3-opt has a time complexity of . Iterated 3-opt has a higher time complexity. This is the mechanism by which the 3-opt swap manipulates a given route:def reverse_segment_if_better(tour, i, j, k): """If reversing tour[i:j] would make the tour shorter, then do it.""" # Given tour [...A-B...C-D...E-F...] A, B, C, D, E, F = tour[i-1], tour[i], tour[j-1], tour[j], tour[k-1], tour[k % len(tour)] d0 = distance(A, B) + distance(C, D) + distance(E, F) d1 = distance(A, C) + distance(B, D) + distance(E, F) d2 = distance(A, B) + distance(C, E) + distance(D, F) d3 = distance(A, D) + distance(E, B) + distance(C, F) d4 = distance(F, B) + distance(C, D) + distance(E, A) if d0 > d1: tour[i:j] = reversed(tour[i:j]) return -d0 + d1 elif d0 > d2: tour[j:k] = reversed(tour[j:k]) return -d0 + d2 elif d0 > d4: tour[i:k] = reversed(tour[i:k]) return -d0 + d4 elif d0 > d3: tmp = tour[j:k] + tour[i:j] tour[i:k] = tmp return -d0 + d3 return 0The principle is pretty simple. You compute the original distance and you compute the cost of each modification. If you find a better cost, apply the modification and return (relative cost). This is the complete 3-opt swap making use of the above mechanism:def three_opt(tour): """Iterative improvement based on 3 exchange.""" while True: delta = 0 for (a, b, c) in all_segments(len(tour)): delta += reverse_segment_if_better(tour, a, b, c) if delta >= 0: break return tour def all_segments(n: int): """Generate all segments combinations""" return ((i, j, k) for i in range(n) for j in range(i + 2, n) for k in range(j + 2, n + (i > 0)))For the given tour, you generate all segments combinations and for each combinations, you try to improve the tour by reversing segments. While you find a better result, you restart the process, otherwise finish. See also 2-opt Local search (optimization)