Alan Alsop: 8/2(2).Another double that is short of a good move. With Whites blockade Blue has to be careful, as he does not want another man back. White has a strong chance in coming down on Blues head on the 21pt. White has a strong position and Blue can only make the 2pt in anticipation of Whites next move.
John Bakovic: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
Three plays to choose from here all two safe plays 8/2(2) and 16/13, 11/8, 11/5 of these two play I like making the two point best, but my play is 16/10, 13/10, 11/8. Leaves an extra blotter but the overly distribution of checkers is much better.
Chuck Bower: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
With one checker back under imminent attack, the tendency is to go assafely as possible, but plays like 16/13, 11/8, 11/5 give up assetsand stack awkwardly. After those plays, even if Blue survives theonslaught, his game has been severely weakened. The 10-point is avaluable acquisition and renders the inefficient 11-point even lessworth keeping. Finally, after 11/8, Blue's hitting fours areduplicated. I'm so allergic to holding points 6 spaces apart that Ioften go overboard in avoiding that structure, but here maybe myinstincts will pay off.
Doug Doub: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
The safe plays are not unreasonable. 8-2(2)would add an inner point, which could be a significant tactically if Whitehits us loose next turn. 11-5, 11-8, 16-13 breaks a reasonable point andleaves a slightly awkward collection of builders.
I like making the 10 point. It would give us 4 out of 6 points in a row,and be six away from the next point in line. Also, the spares that wouldresult would be nicely diversified, and White would have to break his anchorto hit the blot on our 11pt. This must be better than allowing him to hit aslot on our 3pt or 2pt.
Neil Kazaross: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
For me, this is a close choice between 16/10,13/10, 6/3 and16/10,13/10,11/8 but I slightly prefer the more flexible and easier to clean up 16/10,13/10,11/8 as I don't need 4 stripped outfield points with a liability inside our board to cover when we will likely be attacked.
George Klitsas: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
Being behind in the race, blocking points in the outfield have great value, especially the ten point, which also keeps an eye on the four point here. Therefore, despite leaving another blot (but hitting 4's are somewhat duplicated), I think that 16/10 13/10 11/8, is best here.
Laila Leonhardt: 16/10, 13/10, 6/3.
A nice duplication of the deuce that White no doubt use to hit loose with inhome board will allow Blue to create a nice prime and clearing point on theoutside at very little risk. The 4-point prime will always ensure somecontrol if White should start a blitz and Blue gets back in the game.
Snowie: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
The ten point is a better point that the 11 point here, both because itwill be easier to clear and because it bears down on my empty four point.I'm not too worried about leaving the blot on the 11 point -- White hitsat his own risk since a hit would cost him an important anchor. Also, Whitecan use fours to attack on the other side of the board. If I survive this play,my position will be quite comfortable.
Marty Storer: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
The only "safe" play is 16/13 11/8 11/5. That takesa lot of pressure off White, who doesn't want to be restrained. But Bluewants to maintain some restraint. Blue should be able to afford leaving ashot on his 11; points in his own outfield are valuable restraining pointsand bases for building. The 10 point is better than the 11 point, and itattacks the open 4 point. 11/8 duplicates 4's to hit inside, and unstripsthe 8 point to add to future building prospects.
Bob Stringer: 8/2(2).
Another bad roll. I don't like making this play, but unfortunatelyI have to play all four 3's. Since I have to hold my breath andhope that White doesn't demolish the blot on his 5 point, I don'twant another direct shot lying around. 8/2(2) gives up a goodpoint, but it doesn't give up the direct hit, and by strengtheningmy board it increases my chance of weathering White's attack.
Casper van der Tak: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
This or the simple 8/2(2); that play has the advantage of leaving less shots, but giving up the 8 in exchange for the 2 is a big concession here. The advantage of the suggested play is the duplication of some 4s, while retaining a strong compact position with building potential.
Kit Woolsey: 16/13, 11/8, 11/5.
The 11 point looks like more of a liability than an asset here. Making theten point is no bargain either. I would wind up with a stripped position.My play solves this problem by clearing these points and bringing inbuilders for the inner board where I need them. The resulting positionwill be a lot more flexible.
Chris Yep: 16/13, 11/8, 11/5.
I don't like 8/2(2) (leaves a very disjointed position), 16/10 13/10(2) (an outside prime is not going to work against the 18-anchor, so breaking the midpoint is too much of a concession), or 16/10 13/10 6/3 (strips just about everything, dumps a checker to the 3 point). 16/10 13/10 11/8 and 16/10 11/8(2) are both solid moves, creating useful builders, but White will probably either hit the outfield blot or attack the back man next turn, so Blue won't be able to use his builders plus Blue has an extra blot to worry about in the cases where White's attack goes well. Instead I believe Blue should play 16/13 11/8 11/5. This leaves only 1 blot, brings spares to the 8 point, and creates future flexibility.
Summary: The majority of the panel was comfortable leaving thedirect shot on the 11 point in order to make the ten point. This isn'tobvious to me at all. Aren't we supposed to be playing safe on theoffensive front when we have a lone back checker which may be gettingattacked next roll?
