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| 151 147 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 13/9(2).
Close in the pipcount so no call to run. Unstack the heaviest point; add a point to the growing prime and builders for the 3-point. You *could* askfor more progress, but that would be greedy.
Steve Clark: 13/9(2).
Trying to escape from the 20 point seems to be a waste of a good roll. Wedon't make much progress and there are better things to be done.
13-11(2) looks obvious to me. After that I am not entirely sure. 13-9(2)has the merit of making an additional part of a prime. The loss of thesecond covering point (the 11 point) is not so important because we alsowill get long range shots from the 20 point if White jumps into ouroutfield. The benefits of this play are not entirely obvious but they couldbecome much clearer if, for instance, our opponent rolls a 2 and plays24-22. A second alternative to go with 13-11(2) would be 13-9. Thiscreates additional diversification but leaves a blot to be hit and fails tomake the 9 point. It could be right. Finally 13-9(3), 6-4 createsdiversification inside rather than outside. This play also could be right.Actually I can not see much to distinguish between these plays. I will gowith 13-9(2) not because I think it is better but because it is the leastlikely of the 3 plays to be considered.
Ray Fogerlund: 13/9(2).
Hold the 5 anchor to inhibit White's development...Unstack the midpoint without leaving blots... Activate 2 builders for the bar and the 3 points.
George Klitsas: 13/9(2).
13/11(2) 13/9 creates more builders for the bar point, but leaves the 6-2 joker. I prefer the solid 13/9(2), which aims for a 6-prime and keeps an eye on the 3-point.
Laila Leonhardt: 13/11(2), 13/9.
Blue's highest priority is to keep White's back checker from escaping, and thatmeans making the bar point. Even if hit on the 9 point, Blue will have adouble indirect hit, so unless White leaps with a 6-5 he will be serious badposition. Blue should keep his advance tight and clean, not scatter blotsaround that could get White back in the game. 1 blot with a guarantieddouble indirect if hit is a safety play that still brings an extra builderfor the bar point.(it's one of there positions that if you get this wrong,Kit will send you a list of his latest books,,,,you know my email Kit!)
Rob Maier: 20/16(2).
13/11(2) is very strong. Even though he is behind in the race, White still wants to escape his back checker. Making the eleven point does a lot to inhibit that. However, I keep hearing that when ahead in the race you should race, so I'm going to try that, and hope I don't roll 64 next.
Snowie: 13/9(2).
The nine point is the key point for our offense. It is the fourth part ofour prime, and it blocks White if he advances his back checker to ourthree point. Our back checkers are fine where they are now -- no needto advance them. Pressure on White's lone back checker has number onepriority.
Marty Storer: 13/9(2).
Simple and good. The 9 point is valuablein itself, building for the 3 point, the 8 point andthe bar. 20/16(2) is all right, but it's somewhatinflexible. 13/9(2) stays with the theme of pressuringWhite's back checker. With such a strong position,I don't want to leave any shots at all while I canfind a constructive play.
Bob Stringer: 13/9(2).
The anchor stays where it is to make life awkward for White. Moving itjust makes it easier for White to fill his inner board. The goal is toprevent White's last man from escaping. For me it's a close callbetween 13/11(2), 13/9 and 13/9(2). The former has appeal because itcovers the outfield the best, but I prefer the safer move. Making the9 point helps block White's back man, it aims at the 3 point from asafe vantage point, and it gives White the chance to roll somethingawkward. Not likely that White will dump 2 blots into his inner board(maybe on 4-3 or 3-2), but even if he has to leave a single blotthere, if I then roll a 5 I'm hitting on the ace point.
Casper van der Tak: 13/9(2).
Blue has to decide on the main source of his advantage. If it were the racing lead, then 20/16(2) would be indicated. If the advantage is positional, Blue should aim to build on it. To me, it is clear that the main source of Blue's advantage is positional. 12 pips ahead in a very long race is hardly overwhelming, and Blue has the strongest three point board against White's one point board. Moreover, Blue has an advanced anchor.
How to build on the positional advantage? By bringing the checkers on the midpoint into play. Among the plays that do that, 13/9 stands out for a number of reasons:
(1) It makes a point of the 6 prime Blue is going to make from the 4 to the 9 point;
(2) It provides builders for the three point
(3) It hinders White in building the board by keeping the 5-point occupied
Kit Woolsey: 20/18(2), 13/11(2).
I believe the emphasis here is on preventing White's back checker fromescaping. With that in mind, making the 11 point may be as good or betterthan making the nine point, since the 11 point guards our entire outerboard. Moving the anchor up to the midpoint so there is less danger ofgetting stuck makes sense also.
Chris Yep: 13/11, 13/9, 6/4.
Blue only has a 3-prime and a big stack of checkers on his midpoint, so there's an incentive to unstack the midpoint. On the other hand Blue is ahead in the race, so there is also the incentive to race. However, Blue's anchor currently puts pressure on White's 5 midpoint checkers by making it more difficult for White to bring down builders. Also the race is still relatively close. I would maintain the anchor for now and develop on the other side of the board. I like 13/11 13/9 6/4, which unstacks the 6 point and midpoint, guards the outfield, and puts Blue in position to make important blocking points in future rolls. Note for example that the 6-x rolls which allow Blue to either make his 3 point or bar point are diversified (6-1, 6-3 to make the 3 point; 6-2, 6-4, 6-6 to make the bar point) after this play.
Summary: The solid consensus was for making the valuable nine point.I can't say that is wrong -- the logic behind the play is quite clear.Still, I'm not totally convinced that this is the best way to containWhite's back checker.
Play Votes Score13/9(2) 8 10020/16(2) 1 6020/18(2), 13/11(2) 1 6013/11(2), 13/9 1 6013/11, 13/9, 6/4 1 6020/18(2), 13/9 0 4013/11(3), 6/4 0 406/2(2) 0 40
Problem 2
| 156 141 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 13/9, 11/9.
Hitting is reflexive, but why leave White so many return shots? Blue shouldcapitalize on his solid race lead. Making the 4-point is a possibility, but this reminds me of Magriel's warning: "don't duplicate just for the sakeof duplication." Two blots are harder to clean up but one, and 2-2, 4-4,and 5-4 hit twice. Furthermore, how much better is the 4-point than the9-point? A likely gameplan for White is the 18-point holding game, in which case the 9-point has more value to Blue than the 4-point.
Steve Clark: 13/9, 11/9.
The normal solution when we roll a 4, 2 in response to a blot on our barpoint is to hit it, 13-7. Unfortunately all the plays involving 11-7 leavean extra blot around. The principle alternative in most situations where wesee a blot on our bar is to make our 4 point. Unfortunately that play alsoleaves extra blots. Duplication of 4 is nice but I don't particularly wantto devote my next roll to clearing up these loose checkers.
13-9, 11-9 makes a constructive point. One that will be quite usefulwhether or not White makes our bar. With only one loose checker we will bewell positioned to make progress next roll. I think this play is astandout.
Ray Fogerlund: 8/4, 6/4.
Make a point and duplicate 4s. I have to leave a shotanyway, this is the only play that improves my position... The 9 point would be my second choice of plays for the same reason. Hitting seems a little loose leaving a virtual double shot
George Klitsas: 8/4, 6/4.
The duplication of fours, allows Blue to make the four point (8/4 6/4), which is my choice. If I were to hit on the bar point, I would not leave many blots around and my play would have been 16/14 11/7*, which is close (in equity terms) to the chosen play in the given position, and the automatic play in most similar positions, when duplication is not a consideration.
Laila Leonhardt: 8/4, 6/4.
Making points hardly fails. They will come back and pad you on the backlater on.It might look big to leave 2 blots, but look closer and you'll find that 4sare duplicated hitting numbers and if not hit you have a nice lead in therace with good builders.You have to leave a shot anyway, so make something constructive while Whiteis still without a home board
Rob Maier: 8/4, 6/4.
I don't care for the hitting plays, they don't develop the position and end up leaving more returns than the nonhitting plays. Making the four point is a significant improvement, and leaves the hitting numbers duplicated.
Snowie: 13/9, 11/9.
Making the four point or hitting White's blot are both constructuve, but theseplays leave too many blots and shot numbers. I am ahead in the race, so Idon't want unnecessary contact. Making the nine point is solid. Only oneblot, and the nine point will be a good landing place to help bring theposition home safely if White anchors on my bar point.
Marty Storer: 13/9, 11/9.
Blue is substantially ahead in therace, so he should minimize blots and shots. White'sthreat to make Blue's bar isn't horrifying becauseof Blue's racing lead. The 9 point will help bringthe 16-point blot to safety if White misses, andit will help clear Blue's midpoint later.
Bob Stringer: 13/9, 11/9.
My original thought was 8/4, 6/4 - what with 4's duplicated, why notmake a good point? However, if White doesn't hit, that leaves me with2 blots to worry about next time. Enough of that. 13/7* doesn't makeit since it leaves too many blots strewn around. The 9 point is decentenough, and if White then doesn't hit the last blot, I'm ahead in therace with a solid position.
Casper van der Tak: 8/4, 6/4.
All hitting plays suffer from leaving too many shots (11/7*/5 leaves 19 shots, 13/7* leaves 20 shots, and 16/14 11/7* leaves 19 shots, if I am not mistaken), risking the racing lead for too little gain, since preventing White from anchoring on the bar is not that great here.
Note that after the roll, Blue will be 21 pips ahead in the race, which means that Blue will be pretty happy if White is not able to hit next turn and makes the barpoint. Typically, Blue would be ahead by 13 pips or so, coming home against the bar anchor - a nice advantage.
Making the 9 point and making the 4 point leaves less shots (16 for 13/9 11/9, 18 for 8/4 6/4). Both create an asset, and assets are ... right. Making the 4 point gets the nod, preparing in the most efficient way for a blot hitting contest that may results from a White hit, but I suspect that making the 9 and preparing to come home safely is a very close alternative.
Kit Woolsey: 16/14, 11/7*.
Making the four point looks nice with the pretty duplication of fours, butWhite would also have good sixes to make an advanced anchor. PreventingWhite from making that anchor appears to me to have a higher priority.White has no board, so if we get a checker or two hit back in a blot-hittingcontest it won't be too painful.
Chris Yep: 8/4, 6/4.
Of the moves which hit White off the bar point, 13/7* looks best. However since 8/4 6/4 and 13/7* are roughly equal on the opening move after the opponent has split with 6-x, it looks like the positional considerations of this position swing the balance toward 8/4 6/4. In this position Blue has a 21 pip lead and several blots, so he would rather consolidate his race advantage than get in a hitting battle over the bar point. 13/9 11/9 is also strong (one fewer blot, same number of shots as 8/4 6/4 [all 4s and 9s except 1-1 and 3-3]), but 8/4 6/4 makes a stronger point and puts more pressure on White's 18 point blot.
Summary: A close vote between making the inner board point but leavingone more blot vs. making the outer board point, with one mad hitter in thecrowd. I now admit that my hitting play is a bit rash. If I had to do itagain, I am persuaded by the arguments for making the nine point.
Play Votes Score8/4, 6/4 6 10013/9, 11/9 5 9016/14, 11/7* 1 6013/7* 0 4011/7*, 7/5 0 40
Problem 3
| 162 150 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 8/5, 6/5.
I find that it doesn't take much coaxing to make the 5-point, even with a nicerace lead as is found here. With two homeboard blots and limited coveringthrows, White is on his heals and needs to be more concerned as an attackeethan an attacker.
Steve Clark: 8/5, 6/5.
I was taught that, when the opponent leaves a bunch of blots, it is time totake a risk and try to make progress. Since we are ahead in the race, oneone way to make progress is to try to escape, 15-11. Unfortunately we arenot very much ahead and this play does not create a very constructiveposition. Even so it might be right.
Another way to make progress is to make our 5 point, now that would beprogress indeed. We give up the 8 point and allow White 2 shots at ourblot, but White has so many single checkers that he risks having 3 or 4 onthe bar unless he devotes his next roll to pairing them up. The more Iwrite about it, the more I like making the 5 point.
Ray Fogerlund: 13/10, 11/10.
Often, I would just make the 5 point, I am sure...But, when you look it over, this play leaves less shots, makes a new point that blocks sixes, and does not allow White to bring an additional cover along with her hitter. Also, mostly, to hit she will have to give up her anchor on my bar point... Fly shot hits would be ill-advised with two blots in her board.
George Klitsas: 13/10, 11/10.
The safe move (6/2) is short-sighted (in all probability Blue will leave blots at a moment when White will have a much stronger board) and must be rejected in favor of a move that will improve Blue's position, at the cost of taking some immediate risks. The best move in my opinion, is 13/10 11/10, putting pressure on White's back checker. White has some good rolls (like 4-4, 2-2, 4-1 and 4-3) and in order to hit with other rolls, he must think twice.
Laila Leonhardt: 13/10, 11/10.
White's home board is still open and with 2 blots, but White is usuallyquickly going to clean up the mess and make a board. Leaving a blot on the11th point has some good positive sides:
1) To hit and make a point in the board White will have to roll a 4 (notdoubles) and break his valuable advance anchor on the bar point, which he isunlikely to do
2) Hit with the back checker on a 7 and leave and a double shot for Bluefrom the bar, which he is also unlikely to do.
So the blot is pretty safe and you have created a priming point (6 away fromWhites back checker) that will function as a landing spot to clear theoutside men as well as potential builders to point on White should he gaintoo much in race within the next few rolls.
Rob Maier: 6/2.
No reason to leave anything, there is plenty of time to roll clearing numbers, or make inside points and attack.
Snowie: 13/10, 11/10.
White has those inner board blots, so this is a good time to try to makesome progress rather than play completely safe with 6/2. The eight pointis almost as important as the five point in this position, therefore it isn'tworth leaving the double-shot to make the five point. The ten point is adefinite asset, since that point blocks White's back checker from runningon sixes. In addition, our follow-up play will probably be reasonablycomfortable.
Marty Storer: 13/10, 11/10.
Blue wants to clear his outsidepoints and get home. 15/11 is possible, but thatgives many hit-cover numbers and forces no concessionsfrom White in return for hitting. The 10 point is asignificant improvement over the 11 point. Leavingthe blot on the 11 gives White far fewer cover numbersthan leaving it on the 15, and White has to break his18 point to hit. The 15 point is a good retarded midpointor extended bar point in case Blue is hit.
Bob Stringer: 13/10, 11/10.
Ahead in the race, but unless I play the ugly 6/2 (and I can't seewhere that leads to anything), nothing is safe. 6/5, 6/3 and 13/9 looklike they give White too many chances to do something good. 15/11 isrisky because if White hits, in the process he also brings downanother builder - and 9 of his rolls hit and cover. I can't bringmyself to strip the 8 point to make the 5 when that leaves a doubleshot, and so I'm left with 13/10, 11/10. Dilettante that I am, I'm notsure that the 10 point is better than the 11 in this position, but I'minclined to think that the two points are close in value since the 10is 6 away from White's back man. Only 5 rolls (4-4, 4-3 and 4-1) aregoing to allow White to hit on the 11, since he can't hit and leave 2blots in his inner board, and so making the 10 point seems to do theleast damage to the position with a roll that is not what I wanted.
Casper van der Tak: 15/11.
I'd try to get home, making use of the mess in White's board to break a point that I will have to break anyway in the near future. Don't know. Do not see much in this position. Why o why do I double positions that I do not understand?!
Kit Woolsey: 13/10, 11/10.
White has two inner board blots, so playing safe isn't a high priority.Making the five point is nice for the long term, but that does leaveWhite free to hit with the checker he wants to move. I think it is betterto make the ten point and concentrate on hemming in White's back checker.The ten point will be easier to clear from later on than the 11 point,and our next play will probably be fairly comfortable.
Chris Yep: 8/5, 6/5.
Blue currently has an inflexible and undeveloped position, but this roll gives him the opportunity to do something about it! Since White only has a 1-point board with two inner board blots, I believe Blue can afford to give up a double shot in order to make a substantial improvement on his side of the board. Note that if White rolls 1-x, in many cases he can't even afford to hit. For example if White rolls 1-3, one of his best 1-x rolls, it's not clear that he should hit. Blue currently enjoys a 16 pip race lead, but if he just passively moves his checkers (e.g. 6/2) it's unlikely that he'll get some safely. After 8/5 6/5 if White misses, Blue's rolls are diversified: he can remake the 8 point with 3s, 5s, and 7s and he can attack White's blot on his 4 point with 2s and 4s.
Summary: It is easy to be brave when your opponent's board is fullof blots, and our panel had no problem taking some chances. The positionaladvance to the ten point was the popular choice, and it looks quite reasonable.
Play Votes Score13/10, 11/10 7 1008/5, 6/5 3 8015/11 1 606/2 1 6013/9 0 4013/10, 6/5 0 406/5, 6/3 0 40
Problem 4
| 142 169 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 13/9.
Keep the pressure on White. The back checker is covering a lot of territoryand is in no danger. Likewise keeping the 10-point hinders White's escape.As White, which plays would you like to see Blue make? 13/9 makes Whiteroll really well to not leave targets for Blue next roll.
Steve Clark: 13/10, 8/7.
24-20 seems so obvious. We bring our back checker up to the jumping offplace, increasing our flexibility and preparing to escape. It probablywould even be the right roll if we weren't 25 (or so) pips behind in therace; particularly with White being rather awkwardly placed if we stayback. Oh well, I guess having freedom to escape with my upcoming double 6'sisn't everything.
10-7, 8-7, making 4 in a row and threatening to make 5 of 6, is veryattractive but it does give White good 6's in a situation where otherwisethey are pretty bad. I suppose that is enough of detriment so that I willhave to find something else.
I suppose I will play 13-10 and either slot the bar point or play 24-23.When I play I tend to be quite conservative about slotting, and I find Ishould slot more than I do. If I slot here and get hit, White will be quitevulnerable to return hits. Further if we are missed, we will have a highprobability of making our bar point. Perhaps I am overcompensating for aweakness in my game, but I will slot it.
Ray Fogerlund: 24/23, 13/10.
Maintain pressure on White to avoid blots by stayingback, and add a builder for the 9 or bar points. Breaking the 10 point to make a solid 4 prime would be a BIG blunder, btw, because it unblocks 6's and leaves a shot... a terrible play to make a less useful (in this case) point. Blocking 6s is very important!
George Klitsas: 13/10, 8/7.
Behind in the race, it looks like a blunder to move to the 20 point , letting White play safely behind Blue. Interesting and probably the best move is 13/10 8/7!?, which is my choice. With some rolls (6-3 for example), White will simply choose not to hit. With other rolls that hit (for example 3-1), he might regret abandoning his anchor and hitting, if Blue comes up with a successful return hit.
Laila Leonhardt: 24/23, 13/10.
White is ahead in the race which means Blue has two important plans:Prevent White from escaping by improving the prime andtry to catch another of Whites checkers to even out the race.Adding a builder is important. Blue is not concerned with the fact that hemight have to break the midpoint to make another point in the prime sinceBlue is behind no prime and does not fear the outlook of having to run thecheckers around with no outside landing spot.
Rob Maier: 13/10, 8/7.
Behind in the race, so don't move the back checker. Concentrate on improving the prime, force White to break the anchor or leave other shots. I wouldn't put much hope in White's racing lead holding up.
Snowie: 13/10, 11/7.
Humans accuse me of not slotting frequently enough. They are wrong. I amperfectly willing to slot a key point, but only when the risk/rewardratio is sufficient. That is the case here. I am behind in the race, Ihave the stronger inner board, I have an advanced anchor, and it will costWhite his anchor to hit the blot on the bar point. If White doesn't hit,I have a lot of numbers to cover the blot. Yes, this is the time to slot.
Marty Storer: 24/23, 13/10.
Blue is in no hurry to slot; White isahead in the race, partly blocked and with worse timing,and would welcome an opportunity to hit, making a breakfor home with tempo. I'll just add another builder forthe 9 point and the bar, mostly keeping control of White'sinner board, and waiting for White to come to me.
Bob Stringer: 13/10, 8/7.
Behind in the race, and with White's having no board as yet, I'll keepthe man on the 24 point to make things awkward for him. 10/7, 8/7,making a 4 point prime seems plausible; however, I currently have theadvantage, and if White hits on the 10 and escapes, that advantageevaporates. Of the waiting plays, 24/23, 13/10 and 24/23, 8/5, I likethe former much better than the latter, since 8/5 takes a man a bitout of play. Each of the remaining two plays leaves a blot, either onthe 7 or the 9 point. 13/9 isn't good, because even if the blot isn'thit, there's nothing to be done with it, unless I break the midpointto cover it, which I may not want to do on my next roll. Also, it'seasier to hit back on the 7 than on the 9. The choice, then, isbetween the waiting play 24/23, 13/10 or the more dynamic 13/10, 8/7.I go for the latter because of the better distribution. It makes itvery dangerous for White to break the anchor (he won't be doing itsoon, unless he rolls doubles), and some rolls (6-2 or 5-2, forexample) are extremely awkward for him.
Casper van der Tak: 24/23, 13/10.
White has a racing lead; therefore Blue must try to retain contact. However, White is also stripped on his two rear points, and Blue outboards White. Hitting variations are therefore in Blue's favor. White would like to break his anchor with a hit; therefore, Blue should not provide a target. Hence my preference is 13/10 24/23, even though it reduces contact a little bit, followed by 13/10 8/7 and 10/7 8/7, in that order (the 10-point is more important than the bar in this position, being 6 away from White's anchor).
Kit Woolsey: 13/10, 8/7.
We are behind in the race, we have an anchor, and we have the stronger innerboard. Everything points to a bold play. 13/10, 13/7 goes after a keypoint, and keeps all our checkers in ideal places. It will be dangerousfor White to hit on our bar point, and if he doesn't hit we will have alot of numbers which cover the blot and make the fifth part of our prime.
Chris Yep: 13/10, 8/7.
Blue's large race deficit, advanced anchor, and better board suggest that Blue should look for a bold move. 13/10 8/7 looks right. Blue would love to make the bar point to constrain White's back men. 8/7 puts Blue's 8 point spare to good use, while 13/10 gives Blue more ways to cover next turn if he is missed. At the same time, by keeping a checker back on the 24 point, Blue makes it difficult for White to play safely.
Summary: The panel did quite an impressive job finding this incisiveslotting play. I'm convinced it is best. The more you look at it, the moreit grows on you. I just hope I would be able to find the play at the table.
Play Votes Score13/10, 8/7 7 10024/23, 13/10 4 8013/9 1 6024/20 0 4024/21, 8/7 0 4024/23, 8/5 0 4010/7, 8/7 0 40
Problem 5
| 144 159 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 13/10, 13/9.
A classic "least of evils" problem. Sorta reminds me of the last severalpresidential elections. Here the evils divide into many categories: break your anchor, break your prime, give up the midpoint, schlepp checkerssloppily into your homeboard, or a combination of two of the above. Yeck!
Which of Blue's assets is the least valuable? It appears to me to be either the midpoint or the spares on the 6-point. I don't really like concedingTWO things, so 13/9, 6/3 is out. It's down to three choices: 6/3, 6/2; 13/6; or 13/9, 13/10. With White's stripped position, it initially appears that keeping the midpoint will cause White more headaches, but note thatWhite can often comfortably give up his 10-point, and if Blue plays 6/2,6/3 White won't really mind leaving a blot, anyway.
After 13/9, 13/10, the blot on the 10-point is two fewer shots compared toleaving one on the midpoint. In addition, 13/9, 13/10 leaves the best distribution of spares. That's my evil choice.
Steve Clark: 7/3, 6/3.
I don't particularly want to play 22-18 because of all the blots. Nordo I want to play off the 13 or the 9 points. Both of these plays justlook like I am collapsing my position.
That seems to leave 6-3, 6-2 or 7-3, 6-3. Playing 2 men off the 6 pointis safer but it does leave 3 blots which will be difficult to coverproperly. I think I would rather have an additional inner point madesince White is likely to leave me a shot on the coming roll. In lightof my new policy of being brave (see problem 4), I will play 7-3, 6-3.
Ray Fogerlund: 7/3, 6/3.
Make the 3 point, building a better board when White'sstripped position is about to yield a shot. Can't play safe... so get the table set in case you have "company".
George Klitsas: 7/3, 6/3.
Playing without an anchor (and having already been doubled), looks to me extremely dangerous in this position, so I reject 22/18 6/3. Also, I reject any move that abandons the midpoint, dividing Blue's army in two. The safe 6/3 6/2, creating two temporary inner blots, allows White freedom of moves. The bold 7/3 6/3 (my choice) creates a strong inner board and...a poisoned checker (blot) on Blue's bar point. Problems 3-4-5 have definitely something in common.
Laila Leonhardt: 7/3, 6/3.
In general one should not clear ones midpoint having 2 or more checkers inthe opponents home board, simply because of the risk of being primed.And this is no exception.The midpoint is what will keep Blue in control of the outfield, preventWhite from running with a back checker and provide safe haven for the backcheckers to come around the board.If the blot on the bar point is hit, this does not mean that Blue is in moretrouble. Actually this could pose a chance for Blue to counter attack. Witha 3-point board, White may fan and Blue pick up an additional checker orsimply succeed in building another point or prime.If no such good luck story, then an extra checker back will give Blue somepossible flexibility that he was else running out of.
Rob Maier: 7/3, 6/3.
We can't move the back checker, and the midpoint is too valuable to break, so something has to give up front. Since we can make another inside point, that seems to be the winner.
Snowie: 7/3, 6/3.
I put my checkers where I want them. The three point is next in line, andit will be a valuable point should there be some blot-hitting. I canafford to give up the bar point, since my checkers on the ten point doa good job of containing White's back men. If White hits, I will probablyhave plenty of return shots. Otherwise, my next roll figures to playcomfortably, since I have a spare on the six point and the checker on thebar point to work with. No other play is nearly as productive.
Marty Storer: 7/3, 6/3.
White is stripped; I don't want tobreak either the midpoint or the 22 point. Bothof those points are very important to the long-termgame plan. I don't really want to dismantle my brokenfour-prime, but something has to give. 6/3 6/2 is toohorrible to think of. 7/3 6/3 improves the inner board,which makes it somewhat costly for White to hit. I'lllet White come to me; my chances are OK even if I'm hit.
Bob Stringer: 7/3, 6/3.
I didn't think too long about this one. No way I'll break the anchor.Maintaining the midpoint isn't as vital, but I hate giving it up. I'mbehind in the race already, so leaving a blot is not a crime, andmaking the 3 point does something productive. That's it.
Casper van der Tak: 7/3, 6/3.
White leads in the race, but is stripped, with all spares stacked on the 6. Therefore, I would not bolt away from my anchor. Also, I'd try to find a play that makes it difficult for White to leave the anchor with a hit. However, both 9/6 9/5 (giving up the blockade) and 6/3 6/2 (removing the spares from the 6, and leaving a mess in Blue's homeboard) look feeble. 7/3 6/3 is a compromise play: it provides control over the board, and prepares to build a welcoming committee for the future. 13/9 13/10 is also appealing, but the loss of the midpoint is too much for me.
Kit Woolsey: 7/3, 6/3.
Nothing is particularly productive, so it looks right to build up theinner board and prepare for future battle. White leaves his anchor tohit at his own risk.
Chris Yep: 7/3, 6/3.
Breaking the anchor gives White too many attacking opportunities. Breaking the midpoint strands Blue's three back men. 6/2 6/3 is a waiting move, but strips Blue's position and leaves future rolls awkward. By elimination then, I like 7/3 6/3 and 9/6 9/5. Of these two moves I have a slight preference for 7/3 6/3 as it creates a stronger board and unstacks the 6 point. If White hits, Blue will have a fair number of return shots from the bar. 9/6 9/5 puts another checker on the 6 point and looks a little awkward.
Summary: A landslide vote for the clearly correct play of makingthe three point. There really isn't much to be said in favor of anyof the alternatives.
Play Votes Score7/3, 6/3 11 10013/10, 13/9 1 6022/18, 6/3 0 4013/6 0 4013/9, 6/3 0 409/6, 9/5 0 406/3, 6/2 0 40
Problem 6
| 149 143 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 18/14, 18/13.
Ahead in the race, this looks like a good time to vamoose. Note that althoughWhite gets 20 shots at the blot, only eight rolls hit and cover, and five of those give Blue return deuces on the 11-point. Often a race lead combinedwith the 18-point results in being held hostage. Keeping the 18-pointjust doesn't feel right in this position.
Steve Clark: 13/4.
13-4, duplicating the 3's which would make White's 5 point, jumps out atme as the right play. Hmm, I could play 13-8, 6-2, duplicating aces,but this is not so pretty. If my opponent misses me on the 4 point, Iwill be able to make a more constructive board. I could go through thealternatives but none of them attract my eye at all. I will play 13-4.
Ray Fogerlund: 13/9, 6/1*.
This one is close, I would probably slot the 4 pointwith 13/4 just as often. However, it looks like it can assist my game plan if White is forced forward. One extra shot this way, but White will be exposed if she hits with a 9 from the bar... Slotting the 4 is nice, and when it works I probably cover, but then I still have to be careful coming home with Whites back man guarding my home board, so... I'll try to eliminate this problem now when I have to leave a blot anyway...
George Klitsas: 13/9, 6/1*.
13/4 is ok, aiming for the better point. Still, I prefer the more aggressive and more flexible 13/9 6/1*. Both plays make use (with different numbers) of the principle of duplication and are close in equity terms in any case.
Laila Leonhardt: 18/14, 18/13.
Away Houdini!. Get off that bar point while the game is still open and youstill have a prisoner in your home board.If hit he still has to cover and if no hit then Blue has a strong positionto prime and double White.
Rob Maier: 13/4.
Shots whatever we do, we might as well slot the better point, we might accidently form a prime later.
Snowie: 13/9, 6/1*.
Running from the anchor and leaving a double shot gives away too much,particularly since even if the shot is missed I am far from a claim.As long as I am going to have to leave something, I might as wellput White on the bar and rob him of half of his roll. In addition myplay unstacks the heavy six point and duplicates White's aces. Nothingelse accomplishes much, and other plays are too risky.
Marty Storer: 13/9, 6/1*.
I think keeping White off balance isa very good idea here. It makes it harder for Whiteto take care of his blots on the 14 and 5 points.Bringing a builder/slot to the 9 point also helps.Alternatives, of which I like 13/4 best, don't seemto put enough pressure on White.
Bob Stringer: 13/9, 6/1*.
18/14, 18/13 is worth a definite look. Although it leaves a doubleshot, if I'm missed life is good; if I'm hit, odds are I'll get achance to hit back on White's 5 point. The plays which make an innerboard point don't look as good, especially since they make a 6 muchbetter for White than it otherwise would be. 13/4 is not bad, exceptthat a high roll next time really disrupts my structure. 6/1* issimply a way to bide my time. If White doesn't hit, I get somebreathing space, and if he misses I'm going to have a return shotunless he rolls 1-1. As between 13/9, 6/1* and 18/14, 18/13? I can'tmake up my mind. I chose 6/1* by doing a mental coin toss.
Casper van der Tak: 13/4.
In similar positions without the White blot on the 14-point, 18/13 18/14 is best. Here, the extra shots should deter Blue from doing that. White's blot on the 5 is a complicating factor, sometimes Blue get return hits there, but Blue may miss, or White may hit and cover. Conclusion: 18/13 18/14 is out.
Among the other plays, 13/4 rates to be most constructive if missed, and it duplicates 3s. 13/8 6/2 leaves less shots, but slots a less important point. Making the 3 or 2 point does not take advantage of duplication, and breaks a valuable point in the process. Finally, 13/9 6/1* leaves more shots and is not particularly constructive. The verdict: 13/4
Kit Woolsey: 13/9, 6/1*.
An ugly roll. There is no way to play safe. Running is a possibility,but a double-shot may be conceding too much. Making the three point orthe two point is possible, but this gives White the potential of escapingwith a hit which wouldn't be good. I think the loose hit on the ace pointis best. White's aces are very duplicated, and he can't escape veryeasily. The checker on the nine point is a valuable builder, and unstackingthe heavy six point can't be bad.
Chris Yep: 13/9, 6/1*.
Blue has to leave a shot no matter what he plays. He could make the 2 point or 3 point but these points are probably too low in his board. Breaking the anchor gives White a double shot. There is some merit to leaving the anchor now since White only has a 1 point board, but since Blue is still not close to "home free" even if White misses the shot, it looks better to hold on to the anchor for now. I believe Blue should play 13/9 6/1* which duplicates 1s, develops a builder, and may give Blue the opportunity to play behind White if White has to enter higher up in Blue's board.
Summary: The panel recognized the value of the loose hit on theace point in this position. When all else doesn't work, try puttingthe opponent on the bar. You never know what might happen.
Play Votes Score13/9, 6/1* 7 10013/4 3 8018/14, 18/13 2 7013/8, 6/2 0 408/3, 7/3 0 407/2, 6/2 0 40
Problem 7
| 162 154 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 24/20, 6/1*.
When you can't find a good play, count shots. While you're taking forever todo this maybe your opponent will fall asleep and forget to double next roll!24/20, 16/11: 31. 24/20, 13/8: 31. 24/20, 6/1*: 19. 13/4*: 21. 8/4*, 6/1*: 22. The hitting plays leave far fewer shots, so I think the bestmove must be one of those. 8/4*, 6/1* leaves four blots instead of three,which will be harder to clean up. 13/4* is definitely purer than 24/20,6/1*. However, the latter not only has the advantage of two fewer returnshots, but when it works (and White enters without hitting), one blot (onthe acepoint) is temporarilly out of danger, and in the process White'sbackmost checker has been pushed forward where it can be less of amenace. Furthermore, Blue's backmost checker has advanced closer to homeand communicates with Blue's other blot on the 16-point. (I recall thatMarty Storer likes communicating back checkers when opp is on the bar, soI fully expect him to choose this play, too. :)
Steve Clark: 24/20, 16/11.
I really want to play 24-20. White have limited ways to hit me, andeven if he does hit, he will have few checkers close by to cover with.If I do make this play, the most logical 5 seems to be 16-11. Thisprevents White from hitting me and bringing checkers into range of his 5point on the same die. Since White has a much stronger board, I want toavoid creating new blots and make his hits as awkward as possible.24-20, 16-11 seems to be the way.
Ray Fogerlund: 24/20, 6/1*.
A miserable roll. But, I am ahead in the race. So,what to do? I would love to gain the security of an advanced anchor, so stepping up to there seems right. Then, I have to leave a double shot anyway, so might as well duplicate aces by hitting on the ace point. Now, if White rolls a 6, she won't be able to do anything unless she gets an ace with it. Then too, she could get a 6 with her 6, hmmmmmm.... Ever happen to you?
George Klitsas: 24/20, 6/1*.
Confused. A single thought comes into my mind. Blue's back checker (the one in the 24 point) will be a liability in the future, almost independently of what happens elsewhere. So Blue might as well try to get it moving now (24/20), preferably with the tempo hit 6/1*. This move involves duplication of aces, allows Blue to anchor on White's five point in some variations and in some other variations, when the dice dictate that White enters high, Blue will be able to play past White.
Laila Leonhardt: 24/20, 6/1*.
Duplication of 1s. If hit on a 4 in the out field it give an else unusable 4from the bar to hit back.If missed we are back in the game. This doesn't mean we are out of danger,but we avoid having to face a cube and drop next roll.
Rob Maier: 24/20, 13/8.
All the earlier positions where the cube has already been turned, and it's in the center here? I'm not feeling like any more blots here, which leaves out hitting. I'm going to make the play that gives me the best chance of making a defensive point. If the blot on sixteen gets hit, maybe I'll make the twenty, and if nothing gets hit, maybe I can make the sixteen.
Snowie: 24/20, 6/1*.
This is getting serioius. I believe it is important to keep White as busyas possible before he brings any more ammunition into play. 24/20, 6/1*is the safest way to do this. I duplicate White's aces, and if I am hit Iwill have a chance to anchor on White's five point and get some stabilityfor my posiiton. If White misses, I may be able to link my back checkersand again have a playable game. Other alternatives simply give Whitetoo many good things to do and don't have sufficient upside.
Marty Storer: 24/20, 6/1*.
Blue wants to consolidate his racinglead, so minimize shots and double-hits. Blue may linkon the 16 point, or make the 20, after either of which hecan breathe a big sigh of relief. My second choice isanother weenie play, 13/8 24/20, but I don't want togive White the full roll to attack.
Bob Stringer: 24/20, 13/8.
I really, really don't want to leave blots lying around. White's boardis strong and I have nothing. Therefore no hitting, and the questionis what to play with 24/20. 16/11 just leaves too many shots that hit,and so I'll go with the doofus-looking but safe 13/8. This is onewhere I fear my inexperience shows, but if nothing looks good to me,13/8 is what I'm stuck with.
Casper van der Tak: 24/20, 6/1*.
Pretty awkward roll, Blue was entitled to expect something better. The salient features of the position are that White outboards Blue to a considerable degree, Blue has less checkers back, and Blue leads in the race. It follows that sequences in which Blue gets hit are pretty strong for White, so Blue does well to minimize shots and blots. A secondary objective is to continue extricating the back checkers. A tertiary objective is to start building the board.
What plays should we consider?
13/4* - 23 shots and 3 blots
24/20 16/11 - 29 shots and 2 blots
24/20 6/1* - 19 shots and 3 blots
24/20 13/8 - 29 shots and 2 blots
8/4* 6/1* - 23 shots and 4 blots
Hope I counted right!
Compared to 24/20 13/8 and 24/20 16/11, 24/20 leaves 1 more blot but 10 shots less. Seems a worthwhile tradeoff, especially since the 24/20 6/1 takes away half of White's roll and may force White forward.
Compared to 13/4*, 24/20 6/1* leaves less shots and the same number of blots. Moreover, it is better for extricating the back checker. 13/4* has the advantage of starting a better point, but that is not very important in this position, and Blue is also more likely to leave a shot next turn after 13/4* than after 24/20 6/1*
Compared to 8/4* 6/1*, 24/20 6/1* leaves less shots and less blots, and is better for extricating the back checker. The other comments made about 13/4* also apply here, and the more so.
Conclusion: clearly the strongest is 24/20 6/1* - getting the first hit in IS important.
Kit Woolsey: 24/20, 6/1*.
It is important to escape, and we don't want White to get those checkerson the midpoint into play or to bring more checkers around safely. 24/20, 6/1*appears to accomplish what we want better than anything else. White ison the bar so he can only use half his roll, and if he doesn't roll an aceor a four we will have a chance to link our back checkers and consolidateour position. If we are hit, we may be able to anchor on White's five point.
Chris Yep: 24/20, 6/1*.
Blue has an awkward position. He has three large stacks of checkers and to make things worse, he doesn't even have the luxury of playing behind White. Furthermore White's board is starting to become threatening. Given this I think Blue should play 24/20 6/1*. It has the advantages of minimizing shots (20 shots by my quick count: all 1s, 2-4, 3-4, 5-4, 2-2, 4-4, and 5-5), slotting the 20 point (useful in case White hits one of the other blots), and hitting White off the ace point (useful so that Blue has the option of playing behind White whenever White has to enter higher up in Blue's board).
Summary: Desperate rolls call for desperate plays. The panelsaw the necessity of the temp gain from the loose hit on the ace pointdespite White's stronger inner board. Other plays are too passive.
Play Votes Score24/20, 6/1* 9 10024/20, 13/8 2 7024/20, 16/11 1 6013/4* 0 408/4*, 6/1* 0 40
Problem 8
| 175 140 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 16/11, 13/12*.
Hitting on the 5-point gives White 21 return shots while hitting on the 12-point leaves only 12. White has a nice 4-prime with one Blue checkeralready trapped so getting a second one sent back costs Blue a lot. 13/8brings down a builder for the 2-point, but leaves a potentially difficultcleanup with so many blots. 16/11 looks like the best 5 as it links uptwo blots while making a valuable blocking point.
Steve Clark: 16/11, 13/12*.
Hitting with 6-5 could be right. I kinda hate to give 2 direct shotssince White has a better board, but going after the 5 point is alwaysappealing. If I was going to do this, I would not try to keep my sightson his outfield blots, rather I would try to clean up my own outfieldwith 16-11. It can't be right to leave 2 direct shots and 3 otherblots. With a little bad luck all 5 of those checkers could get gluedto the bar. Remember, it is bad luck to have 3 men on the bar; 5 menon the bar is very bad luck indeed.
There are reasonable alternatives to hitting on the 5 point. Hitting onthe 12 also looks very good. Since I would then only leave one directshot, playing 12-7 and leaving a bunch of indirect blots would not be sobad. Even so, I think 16-11 is a better alternative. The 11 point ispotentially quite useful and it is always good to keep your positioncleaned up to the extent possible. I could not fault playing 6-5 but Iwill go with 16-11, 13-12.
Ray Fogerlund: 16/11, 13/12*.
Hit, but don't go blot crazy... Make the 11 pointwhich might be useful if White makes my 5 point. One play, which does not involve hitting, and was not listed among the alternatives, is quietly making the 2 point. This would give White the most dancing rolls, and the least hitting rolls. Since White owns the cube, increasing the number of rolls that leaves her helpless is not a bad idea... There is little value in owning the cube when you are on the bar and your opponent is blasting away at your numerous blots.
George Klitsas: 16/11, 13/12*.
I am one of those players that just hate leaving too many blots lying around. After this statement, my play should be clear : 16/11 13/12*. The 11 point is a crucial point for Blue to make.
Laila Leonhardt: 13/12*, 12/7.
There are several considerations.White has a dangerous strong prime. Blue would definitely not like thatWhite makes his 5-point, but it is worse to get stuck with another checkerbehind the prime.Since 5-1 is supposedly the weakest backgame my vote falls on the leastamount of direct shots with the maximum attacks, covers or indirect hitspossible.Aggressive, but with a minimum of direct shots.
Rob Maier: 16/11, 6/5*.
It seems right to hit on the five point, and the combination of doing so and buttoning up a little on the eleven point is prudent.
Snowie: 16/11, 13/12*.
Hitting loose on the five point gives White too many return shotswhich hit. I can live with White anchoring on my five point, butgetting another checker sent behind White's blockade is very expensive.My main asset here is outfield control, so I will make the play whichbuilds on that asset. Locking up the 11 point could prove to bevery valuable if White wins the fight for my five point.
Marty Storer: 13/8, 6/5*.
Go for the gusto! If White doesn'thit back on the 5 point, Blue is jumping for joy.Even if he does, there are many, many return shots.Blue does not want to allow White a direct shot tomake the 5 point, after which he'll be in the gameforever with decent chances.
Bob Stringer: 16/11, 13/12*.
I reject both 6/5* plays, because whenever I do that sort of thing itends up sticking to my face. I'm tempted by 16/11, 13/12*, but 2 blotsin my inner board when White has a nice blockade on his side seems tobe a bit much. 11/6 is far too stodgy to be right, and 12/7 mixes itup too much - anything can happen, and why take such a risk when I cancome close to consolidating an advantage now? 13/12*, 16/11 seems justright. It puts a second man on the bar, cleans up two blots and makesa very useful point.
Casper van der Tak: 16/11, 13/12*.
Pertinent features of the position: White has a strong 4 prime, Blue has one checker back, White 4 and possibly 5; Blue is a mile ahead in the race. It is clear that Blue does well to minimize hits by White, which means hitting outside, 13/12. Then, as indicated by the adage assets are everything, 16/11, locking up the 11 point, which is likely to come in handy "somewhere" in the future.
Kit Woolsey: 16/11, 13/12*.
It would be nice to fight for the five point, but I believe that givesWhite too many good rolls. We don't want to have another checker sentback. 16/11, 13/12* locks up the important 11 point and gives us goodcontrol of the outfield. If White is unable to hit or anchor, we canattack the blot on the five point next turn.
Chris Yep: 16/11, 6/5*.
An interesting position. I don't like 13/12* 11/6. With strong blitz potential Blue needs a more flexible position. Stacking another checker on the 6 point looks clearly wrong. The other moves all look strong and each has their plusses and minuses. Overall I like the combination of securing the 11 point and hitting White off the 5 point, despite the extra inner board blot it leaves. If Blue can win the fight for the 5 point with 4 or more White checkers behind Blue's prime, Blue will have a dominating position. 13/12* is also a possibility, but since Blue will still have chances to pick up the blot later, I prefer going after the 5 point. I like 16/11 6/5*.
Summary: With a lot of different possibilities available, the panelstrongly supported the outfield control approach. I believe that makes alot of sense for this position. Building on the strong parts of a positionis often the key to success.
Play Votes Score16/11, 13/12* 8 10016/11, 6/5* 2 7013/12*, 12/7 1 6013/8, 6/5* 1 6013/12*, 13/8 0 4013/12*, 11/6 0 40
Vote Summary
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Chuck Bower 13/9(2) 13/9, 11/9 8/5, 6/5 13/9 13/10, 13/9 18/14, 18/13 24/20, 6/1* 16/11, 13/12*Steve Clark 13/9(2) 13/9, 11/9 8/5, 6/5 13/10, 8/7 7/3, 6/3 13/4 24/20, 16/11 16/11, 13/12*Ray Fogerlund 13/9(2) 8/4, 6/4 13/10, 11/10 24/23, 13/10 7/3, 6/3 13/9, 6/1* 24/20, 6/1* 16/11, 13/12*George Klitsas 13/9(2) 8/4, 6/4 13/10, 11/10 13/10, 8/7 7/3, 6/3 13/9, 6/1* 24/20, 6/1* 16/11, 13/12*Laila Leonhardt 13/11(2), 13/9 8/4, 6/4 13/10, 11/10 24/23, 13/10 7/3, 6/3 18/14, 18/13 24/20, 6/1* 13/12*, 12/7Rob Maier 20/16(2) 8/4, 6/4 6/2 13/10, 8/7 7/3, 6/3 13/4 24/20, 13/8 16/11, 6/5*Snowie 13/9(2) 13/9, 11/9 13/10, 11/10 13/10, 8/7 7/3, 6/3 13/9, 6/1* 24/20, 6/1* 16/11, 13/12*Marty Storer 13/9(2) 13/9, 11/9 13/10, 11/10 24/23, 13/10 7/3, 6/3 13/9, 6/1* 24/20, 6/1* 13/8, 6/5*Bob Stringer 13/9(2) 13/9, 11/9 13/10, 11/10 13/10, 8/7 7/3, 6/3 13/9, 6/1* 24/20, 13/8 16/11, 13/12*Casper van der Tak 13/9(2) 8/4, 6/4 15/11 24/23, 13/10 7/3, 6/3 13/4 24/20, 6/1* 16/11, 13/12*Kit Woolsey 20/18(2), 13/11(2) 16/14, 11/7* 13/10, 11/10 13/10, 8/7 7/3, 6/3 13/9, 6/1* 24/20, 6/1* 16/11, 13/12*Chris Yep 13/11, 13/9, 6/4 8/4, 6/4 8/5, 6/5 13/10, 8/7 7/3, 6/3 13/9, 6/1* 24/20, 6/1* 16/11, 6/5*