Alan Alsop: 24/16.Do I want to attack the bar pt or not. Probable not. The race is even so I will bring my back man out all the way but still in contact and carry the fight from there.
Chuck Bower: 13/5.
In contrast to the answer in problem 1, here when questioned:"where is this game going?" my answer is "I don't know." Applying Robertie parlance, this position calls for a non-commital play. 13/5 adds a builder/attacker and puts theball back on White's side of the court to await furtherdevelopments.
Doug Doub: 24/16.
13-5 is a possibility, but 22-16 looks more useful, as itgives us better outfield coverage, and the extra spare on the midpoint islikely to be of value to us.
After 22-16, we have three plausible twos to choose from. Continuing with16-14 minimizes shots, and covers our outfield best, and 13-11 offers thebest chances of making a new point next turn. However, 24-22 connects theback men and gives us a direct 6 to make the 16pt or as a return shot ifhit. That looks to be the most valuable use of the deuce here.
Oystein Johansen: 24/16.
Against a beginner I would play 13/7 13/11. Try to start a primingbattle or play a backgame it is fails, two game strategies a beginner will misplay anyway. Against a good player I would run 24/16. Can't be much wrong. The back checkers communicate, and I can make the 16 point if I'm lucky.
Neil Kazaross: 24/22, 13/7.
Four basic plays come to mind. 1) The connecting but more attackable24/16. 2) The running 22/14. 3) The safe 13/5. 4) 24/22, 13/7 trying to do things on both sides of the board but risking 16 shots that let the last man escape with tempo. My slight preference is for 24/22, 13/7. Is anchoring really a better 2 after 13/7 than 7/5 ? I think so, since the anchor pays off when White would have thrown a joker in the next couple of rolls and, if White misses the 6 shot, most rolls play quite constructively next roll. 24/22, 13/7 gets my nod here, but it won't shock me if 24/16 is slightly better, inspite of the jokers it leaves.
George Klitsas: 22/14.
The race is about even and for that reason, 13/7 is not thematic in this position. 22/14, leaving the minimum number of shots, looks like the best move among the other alternatives.
Laila Leonhardt: 22/16, 13/11.
Quadrant control. A lifeline and control between each quadrant. Though White may hit and put Blue on the bar,White's home board poses no threat to Blue as of yet and there is a nice gain in the extra hitter and builder if White tries to move forward
Achim Mueller: 13/5.
I have not really an idea, what will be the best move here. I don't likerunning with one of the back checkers. This will give White theinitiative and the chance to hit Blue without any concessions. And Ialso do not see the need of anchoring on the 22-point. 13/7 is to sharp.So, relax, reinforce your position (smoothing checkers ;-) wait and see.
Snowie: 13/5.
White doesn't have much of an offense, so there is no need to panic.I simply bring a builder to an optimal place and bide my time, making itas difficult as possible for White to play safely by leaving my backcheckers split in White's inner board. The danger of being attacked orprimed is currently minimal.
Marty Storer: 22/16, 13/11.
The race is close enough that Blue probably doesn't want to makethe 22 along with the very big slot of the bar. Rather than aslow improvement with 13/5, Blue can be more ambitious. He cancontrol lots of outfield, make a promising escape attempt, andbuild for his bar and other outside points. My second choice is22/14; same idea, fewer ways to be hit, but slightly too weenie.
Bob Stringer: 13/5.
The race is close and I need to trap White's remaining backchecker. 13/5 brings down a builder to contribute to the cause. Ilike that better than jumping into the outfield, where White canhit me and bring down a builder in the process. Also, his positionisn't so threatening that I need to anchor immediately, especiallyon the doofus 3 point.
Kit Woolsey: 24/22, 13/7.
Making White's three point solidifies the defense and avoids any chanceof a major accident if White rolls a joker. Slotting the bar point hasmixed blessings. It will be great if the shot is missed, since I will thenbe in position to make the bar point or use this checker as a builder foran inner board point. I won't be happy if the shot is hit, but my positionwill still be sound. Other approaches don't have the proper balanceof offense and defense.
Chris Yep: 24/16.
As in problem 1 Blue gains from contact. 24/16 keeps his checkers connected (note that if White hits and stays on the 9 pt. Blue has good return 6s from the bar), establishes outfield presence (especially useful since White will be trying to escape his last back man), and starts the 16 point (with the potential of playing a 16-point holding game).
Summary: The panel was quite split on how to handle this slipperyroll, with all candidates getting at least one vote. I'm far from surewhat is best, but I still like digging in and making that anchor.
