<?php get_header(); ?>

<div>
<?php $count = 0;
if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post();
$count++;
if ( $count < 4 )  { //display of first 3 posts ?>
<div id="featured-<?php echo $count; ?>">

<?php echo
"<a href='<?php the_permalink() ?>' rel='bookmark'>
<?php
if ( has_post_thumbnail() ) {
// check if the post has a Post Thumbnail assigned to it.
  the_post_thumbnail('medium');
} "
?></a>
<h1><a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" rel="bookmark"><?php the_title(); ?></a></h1>
<?php the_excerpt(); ?>
</div>

<?php }

if ( $count == 4 ) { //closes the featured div adds the links in the center then opens the columns div ?>
</div> <!-- /close the featured div -->

<div id="columns">
<?php }
if ( $count > 3 && $count < 10 ) { //Next 6 posts ?>

<div id="recent-<?php echo $count - 3 ?>">

<?php //do stuff here ?>
</div>
<?php }

endwhile; endif; ?>
</div> <!-- /end columns -->

<?php get_footer(); ?>