Chuck Bower: 21/15, 2/1*.I don't like giving up either the 7- or 8-point here just toavoid an inner board blot. Since I'm leaving that blot I might as well hit with it and take away a lot of White'sconstructive rolls. 21/15 is progressive but breaks the"don't leave opp a good six from the bar" axiom. 13/7is neutral but Blue's position could get cramped soon.Further it takes pressure off White's blot on Blue's 9-pointsince now the only direct hitters give up the midpoint.I'll break the rule and come out to the 15-point.
Doug Doub: 8/7, 8/2.
As unattractive as it is to break a good point for onethat is not as useful, I do not think that it is worth leaving a shot andjeopardizing our racing advantage for rather nebulous gains. When you starta low point, you are normally supposed to cover it if you can. Thisposition does not appear to be an exception to the general rule.
Neil Kazaross: 8/7, 8/2.
If we play the natural 21/15, 2/1x we leave many many return shots. Idoubt that is the proper play. Therefore, we need to choose between 13/7, 2/1x and 8/2, 8/7. Since, I don't like ace point hits in general with only a 1 point board and 13/7 strips the mid, I'll give up my 8 point to add my 2 point. 8/2, 8/7 is my choice.
George Klitsas: 13/7, 2/1*.
Blue must hit on the ace point, in order to keep White off balance. It's very tempting to contest the outfield with the bold 21/15, and it could well be the winning move. Still, it's too rich for my blood and, for the second part of the move, I will vote for the conservative 13/7. The full solution is 13/7 2/1*.
Snowie: 8/7, 8/2.
I sure don't want to lose my racing lead in this mutual holding game.My play covers the blot on the two point for good and gives me a bitof flexibility. Other approaches are simply misguided.
Marty Storer: 8/7, 8/2.
Blue is well ahead in the race with an advancedanchor, so a safe play seems indicated. 8/2 8/7 leaves no shots;alternatives leave many.
Bob Stringer: 8/7, 8/2.
I'm ahead in the race, so I'm not giving White a direct shotunless I have to. That blot on the 2 point is stupid and I have tocover it some time. Might as well do it now when there's nothingelse productive to do.
Chris Yep: 21/15, 2/1*.
White has better timing. Unless Blue can safely play behind White's anchor, he will run out of playable spares soon. Given this, White's 24-point checker is quite a nuisance for Blue. 2/1* hits White off this point while not sacrificing much to Blue's structure (the blot on the 2 point wasn't doing much anyway). Although Blue can play "safely" with 8/2 8/7, this doesn't address Blue's awkwardness or hit White off the ace point. Assuming that Blue plays 2/1*, with the 6 I have a slight preference for 21/15, keeping Blue's checkers connected, keeping the bar point, and keeping a spare on the midpoint.
Kit Woolsey: 8/7, 8/2.
It is a mutual holding game, and I am ahead in the racce. It looks rightto cover up the blot and wait for those eventual doubles to see me home.I would like to be able to keep my eight point, but that has a lowerpriority than getting safe and covering the blot on the two point. Also,my play does give me more badly needed flexibililty with the third checkeron the bar point.
Summary: The panel was pretty solid on tidying things up and leavingno shots. That looks like the correct thematic approch for this position.
