Rob Adams: 13/9*, 5/3(2)*.Since the ace point is already made, I think blitzing is ok. So I switch with 5/3(2). Then I can choose to hit another checker or make the 4pt (which is also the fourth inner board point). Here, I like hitting since those spares on the 6pt may be better used to attack on the 5pt or even the 2pt later. By hitting on the 9pt, I not only hit a second checker, but also bring in another builder.
I certainly don't like it that White has such a strong inner board. But I have to play the game from here. Trying to win a priming game (with 13/9, 6/4(2) or 13/9(2)) doesn't make as much sense.
Nigel Alsop: 13/9*, 6/4(2).
Its essential to make the 4pt, it's whether I shift play from 5pt to the 3pt hitting, or hitting on the 9pt and risk a joker. I think taking a chance now while White has two clear points and a blot in his board, I am going to need the four and five points later to get home safely. Blue might still be lucky and get a gammon.
John Bakovic: 13/9*, 6/4(2).
What could be better hitting and making a fourth inner board point? 13/9(2)* to conservative a play and all the other plays leave to awkward positions with nothing to complete the attack with.
Chuck Bower: 6/4(2), 5/3(2)*.
It's time to put those spares on the 6-point to work, and making the4-point is what they've been waiting for. Between the two hit plays,5/3(2)* is safer and leaves White no chance to anchor this turn. Itwill be easier for Blue to go after the outfield straggler next turnthan try to hit loose inside the homeboard and risk having to enteragainst White's formidable foundation. "Make the play your opponentfears the most" is a good axiom. 6/4(2), 5/3(2)* appears to be justthat.
Steve Clark: 13/9*, 6/4(2).
I would not play 13-9(2) but other than this I do not really have a clue.13-9, 6-4(2) gives us the best position but hits only one blot and leaves abunch of return shots. 6-4(2), 5-3(2) also only hits one blot. It alsomakes a 4th inner point and leaves no shots. Unfortunately if White managesto come off the bar, our position will be a bit stretched out andvulnerable. 13-9, 5-3(2) hits 2 blots and is completely safe for themoment, but leaves us in the weakest situation otherwise. I think I willplay 13-9, 6-4(2). This could be wrong be a big margin but I think it rightto take a chance now before White has the opportunity to make his 2 point.Assuming we will have to take so risk sometime (This might be a very badassumption.), we should do it when the damage is likely to be smallest.Also we seem to gain a lot but this play if we are not hit. I might begoing off the deep end here but I like 13-9, 6-4(2).
George Klitsas: 6/4(2), 5/3(2)*.
Blue's main problem is extracting his back checkers from White's bar point - therefore keeping the midpoint is crucial here. This single thought, eliminates three of the four candidates and leaves the unusual 6/4(2) 5/3*(2) as the winner. The more one looks at this play (that many players would easily miss), the more he likes it.
Rob Maier: 6/4(2), 5/3(2)*.
The second blot can wait. Improving to a four point board without risk is preferable to eight shots and two blots. Hitting and shifting is ugly.
Snowie: 13/9*, 6/4(2).
Those checkers on the six point belong on the four point, so let's put themthere. The long-term gain from this has to outweigh the short-term gainof hitting two checkers. After that, hitting White's blot on the ninepoint looks natural. This is White's most advanced back checker, and I amwell-placed to continue to attack if White flunks. If White enters and hits,at least I have a blot in his inner board to shoot at.
Marty Storer: 6/4(2), 5/3(2)*.
Unlike 13/9* 6/4(2), this gives White no immediatechance to anchor or to hit a return shot. Even if White enters, the outsideblot has few places to hide. If White fans, Blue is sitting very pretty.Hitting two leaves a fractured board with not enough attacking potential.6/4(2) 5/3*(2) looks very clearly correct; the upside of this play is huge,and the downside is almost nonexistent. Even if White comes in and Bluemisses, Blue has a good holding-racing position, plus some pressure againstWhite's back checker.
Bob Stringer: 13/9(2)*.
More and more I try to keep a look-out for those plays that shift andhit in the inner board, and 6/4(2), 5/3(2)* has great appeal. But Idon't like the combination of giving up the 5 point, stripping the 6bare and giving the man on my 9 point a chance to escape. Hitting onthe 9 point keeps two of White's men back, which is generally the bestthing to do. I'd play 6/4(2), 13/9* for its obvious advantages ifsomeone would promise me that I wouldn't be hit, but leaving *two*blots is a bit much, despite the 4 point board. After all, White hasone too.
Casper van der Tak: 13/9*, 6/4(2).
This leaves some jokers, but gains the most in the race, sends a second checker back, builds the strongest 4 point board, and is easiest to follow up. Other plays like 13/9 (2)* and 6/4(2) 5/3(2)* are less joker-prone, but since Blue has a lot of work to do in this position and has already given the cube away, he can not effort to make any of these tight plays.
Second choice in this position is probably 13/9* 5/3(2)*, which does not leave jokers and puts 2 checkers on the bar. However, this play often requires Blue to hit loose in the follow up, which is very dangerous in view of White's strong board.
Kit Woolsey: 6/4(2), 5/3(2)*.
So many things to do. Making the fourth inner board point seems like amust. After that, I prefer the switching play. No blots to worry about,no way White can anchor, and I will have a shot at his outfield blotnext turn if he flunks. Since I have already made my ace point, therewon't be too much difference between holding the five point and holdingthe three point.
Chris Yep: 13/9*, 6/4(2).
Blue must respect White's 4-point board. Blue wants to build up a strong board, but because of White's strong board, Blue would rather not hit loose if he doesn't have to. I like 6/4(2) with the first two 2s, putting two of Blue's spares to good use by making a 4 point board of his own. With the last two 2s, Blue can either make the "safe" play (5/3(2)) or the aggressive play. I prefer the more aggressive choice. Although White does have a respectable 4 point board, 13/9* has many things going for it. First it hits a fleeing back checker and makes it easier for Blue to attack both back men. Second, although White has 8 return shots from the bar (2-6, 3-6, 1-2, 1-3), if he hits Blue will then have a fair number of returns himself including some double-hits. Third, Blue has the 18 point anchor and White's prime is a broken 5-prime instead of a solid 5-prime. These factors sway me toward the more aggressive approach, 13/9* 6/4(2).
Summary: The panel voted to leave all those blots lying around.Maybe that is right, but I'm not convinced.
