Seifert circles, braid index and the algebraic crossing number

Abstract

We introduce new operations reducing the number of Seifert circles in link diagrams of a special type. The operations are similar to one described in [Mem. Amer. Math. Soc. 508 (1993)] and [Math. Proc. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 111 (2) (1992) 273]. We discuss a conjecture about the number of Seifert circles that can be canceled by applying the operation repeatedly. We translate the problem into one belonging to graph theory.