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| 137 153 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 22/18, 20/18.
The 9-point would be good to have here. However, rolls which allow you to make a valuable anchor aren't guaranteed to come again soon. The 20-point is better than the 18-point, but not enough to accept an awkward 4 die.
Doug Doub: 13/9, 11/9.
White is not in very good position to attack, so we areunder little pressure to make an anchor. Having our back men on differentpoints could give us more shots at a blot in the outfield. Moreimportantly, our 9pt is a very good point to own here. It gives us four outof six in a row and makes our future hits that more potent, as well asthreatening White's blot on our 4pt.
Neil Kazaross: 13/9, 11/9.
Only two plays come to mind here since if we make the 20 point, our 4doesn't play well. Therefore, I feel that 18(2) is better than any playwhich makes the 20 point. Therefore, we can compare 18(2) vs making the 9point. We are behind in the race and the blocking 9 point pressures White'slone rear checker. However, this leaves White several attacking jokers butwe should be OK after that unless we dance on the 3 point board.
My opinion is that we should make the 9 point here due to our racedeficite and the fact that it is better to play for the win than to play notto lose a G. I have a slight preference for 13/9, 11/9.
George Klitsas: 22/20, 11/7.
Although making the 9 point looks nice, I think that a higher priority for Blue in this position is a defensive anchor - the danger is that White may use his spares, not only now but later, as well, if Blue's rear checkers remain split, to put Blue on the bar with a 3 point board (with rolls like 41, 32, 21 etc). Therefore, the choice is between making White's bar point (22/18 20/18) or the defensive 20 point (22/20). I believe that 22/18 20/18 is probably the move to win the contest (!), since it's a single alternative, but the move to win the game is to anchor on the 20 point and look for the four (3 alternatives). Namely 13/9, 11/7 and 6/2. Between 13/9 and 11/7 the latter looks clearly better (fewer blots and, most important, more "convenient" hits, compared to some "awkward" hits for White after 11/7 [46 and 41]). The final choice between 11/7 and 6/2 is difficult enough, but Blue's race deficit, White's already mentioned awkward hits and the fact that, if White rolls a 44, Blue should prefer tobe hit, sways me to the more positional 22/20 11/7.
Snowie: 22/18, 20/18.
It isn't clear where I will want my front checkers, but it is clearthat I will want an advanced anchor. This will keep me in the gamefor a long time. Making the nine point risks some very bad thingshappening, and making the 20 point means I have to either leave adirect shot or take a checker out of play.
Marty Storer: 22/20, 13/9.
Blue is going to need an anchor eventually, andthe 20 is better than the 18. With a blot in White's board and10 pips behind after the roll, Blue can afford to play aggressivelyagainst White's back checker. 13/9 duplicates White's 6's to runand to hit, and may give a return shot at the blot on White's 1point. Making the 9 is nice, but it seems imperative for Blue toanchor while he can. White's threats against Blue's back checkersmay not seem very big, but they're deceptively insidious. For fansof general rules, 13/9 11/9 is priming a blot. According to thesaying, one should prime an anchor and attack a blot.
Bob Stringer: 22/20, 13/9.
First, do I want to make an anchor or do I want to make a point 6away from White's remaining back checker? If I had a betterblockade going, with either the 5 or bar point already made, I'dgo for the 9 point. But making the 9 point in this positiondoesn't do all that much to stop White. Making an anchor looksmore productive for the long run. Next, I prefer his 5 point tohis bar point for the anchor. An anchor on the 5 looks like itwill make things more inconvenient for White, given hisover-stacked structure. That leaves me with 3 choices. 6/2 is outright away; I don't see the point of dumping a checker on a badpoint. Finally, I like 13/9 over 11/7 since it's more flexible andcovers the board better.
Kit Woolsey: 22/18, 20/18.
Making the nine point is nice, but since White has only one checker backthat may result in just a temporary hindrance. In the meantime, if Ileavemyr back checkers split I may get attacked. Making the enemybar point guarantees me a solid defense whatever happens, and I still maybe able to contain White's back checker. If that checker gets away, I willhave a fine bar point holding game.
Chris Yep: 13/9, 11/9.
It looks right to concentrate on offense. White has only 8 checkers in the attack zone, a 2-point board, and an inner board blot, so there is no urgency to make an anchor. Furthermore, White has an awkward position due to his stacked midpoint and no outfield structure. Keeping the back men split may give White problems finding safe plays in the near future. On the other side of the board, White is threatening to escape his last back man. Blocking 6s with 13/9 11/9 looks best.
Summary: A close choice, with votes for both anchors as well asmaking the offensive nine point. It isn't at all clear what is best.
Play Votes Score13/9, 11/9 3 10022/18, 20/18 3 9022/20, 13/9 2 8022/20, 11/7 1 7022/20, 6/2 0 40
Problem 2
| 131 164 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 24/22, 9/3*.
Damage control. That's one of the values of an anchor, andnever more true than here. Even after making the barpointBlue's offense is pitiful. Hitting twice just delays theinevitable, at best. Running out seems too optimistic whengammons count. After 24/22, hitting appears to give Whitea few more problems than the pure 13/7.
Doug Doub: 24/22, 9/3*.
Survival is key here. Blue is in really bad shape andneeds to try to avoid getting blown away. Making the defensive 22pt stopsWhite's prime from getting any stronger and reduces the value of the spareson White's 6pt. After that, 9-3* has some potential to be productive, whiletaking away half of White's roll.
Neil Kazaross: 24/22, 9/3*.
A truly awful position with a difficult decision. I think White needs tograb the 22 anchor with the 2 and look around for the 6, with the best 6then being 9/3x. If White hits both checkers he lacks distribution to allowmuch good to happen and the ace point blot won't be good in any back gamescenario. If White tries to move forward by 22/16, 11/9 he simply doesn'taccomplish very much and has no anchor and leaves many shots.24/22, 9/3x for me.
George Klitsas: 13/7, 9/7.
A very tough problem. I quickly reject any move that hits on the 3 point (even the double hit) and remain with 22/16 11/9, 13/7 9/7 and 24/22 13/7. The latter is sophisticated enough but not good enough in my opinion. Blue is ready to accept a possible backgame, if hit by White (with 6's and 4's ) but it's against the probabilities that Blue will be able to anchor on White's 2 point and, even if he anchors, the timing is fragile and White can possibly worsen it if he just slots the back of his blockade. Between the other two alternatives, I prefer to make my bar point (13/7 9/7) starting my own blockade. Of course, if White gets lucky, I can be crushed without an anchor. Still, this does not seem very likely, since White will be reluctant to break his prime in order to point on me and he will hit lose only with threes.
Snowie: 24/22, 9/3*.
I can't afford to not make the defensive three point, and the hit withthe six is all that is left. My play leaves a lot of blots and shots,but if I am hit maybe I can fall into a back game. If I don't make theanchor, I risk an attack from which there will be no recovery.
Marty Storer: 24/22, 9/3*.
As in Problem 1, Blue will eventually need an anchor.The 22 is the best available, so it makes sense to take it. Ifnothing else, it's backgammon insurance. Actually it's much morethan that. If Blue can make the 22-23 double anchor, he's still quitethe underdog, but that double anchor is the most he can expect to getout of this horrible position. If Blue hopes for forward improvementafter a double hit, he's a cockeyed optimist! In this situation,defense is critical.
Bob Stringer: 24/22, 9/3*.
White's position is so strong that 24/22 is mandatory. After that,9/3* looks clear, since anything else gives him too free a hand.Also, I *have* to start making points in my inner board, and sinceanything I play gives White shots, this is as good a time as anyto do it.
Kit Woolsey: 13/7, 9/7.
Making the defensive three point leaves White too many hitting numbers,and I don't want another checker behind White's prime. My playavoids direct shots at the checkers on my side of the board andmakes a potentially important point. White doesn't have to roll a killingattacking number, and if I can survive the next roll I will have a chanceto put something together.
Chris Yep: 24/22, 9/3*.
White has 12 men in the attack zone, a strong 3-point board, and a strong prime. Blue is vulnerable all over the board. I would feel uncomfortable with any move not making an anchor, so I choose 24/22. With the 6, I prefer 9/3*. It gives White about the same number of return hits as 13/7, but gives Blue a better chance to start an offense when White misses.
Summary: The panel solidly went for the anchor without worrying aboutthe blots. I guess it does make sense to employ some damage control here.
Play Votes Score24/22, 9/3* 7 10013/7, 9/7 2 7024/22, 13/7 0 4022/16, 11/9 0 4013/11, 9/3* 0 409/3*, 3/1* 0 40
Problem 3
| 143 178 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 21/11.
The 11-point is valuable here and not worth giving up tomake the barpoint (leaving a bunch of shots) or hittingtwice. The choice for me is between 24/14 and 21/11.Although 24/14 dupes 2's and 4's, that still gives White many good tosses. IMO, Blue's situation isn't so desperatethat he needs to take a lot of extra risks. Three blots,no anchor, and a worse homeboard is not a good combination.21/11 is constructive and keeps some pressure on White toperform.
Doug Doub: 21/11.
Sometimes, simple is best. This frees a back man and puts aspare at a good place, while leaving no shots. Other moves try toaccomplish too much at far greater risk. We should not be anxious to giveWhite more opportunities to do good things with his stack on his 6pt, andhitting two men breaks a good point and throws a man out of play withoutreally accomplishing anything.
It is not a big deal if White anchors on our 5pt, since he is likely to beforced off of it before long. Additionally, we already have the cube, so wedo not have to worry about White's obtaining an efficient double against ourace point game at some point.
Neil Kazaross: 21/11
I see no reason to disturb a reasonable checker placement here and simplyplay 21/11 to bring another checker around to bear on my homeboard. We don'thave enough to gain by the double hit with only 1 point closed. Running24/14 leaves White too many chances to attack us, in spite of duped 4's and2's.21/11 is my choice.
George Klitsas: 13/9, 11/5*.
If the theory according to which the player that has possession of the cube is well advised to increase his winning chances (risking a greater percentage of gammons, but being able to use the cube efficiently more often) is correct, then 11/5* must be the half part of the solution, fighting for the 5 point. If this theory is wrong, then perhaps 21/11 is a safe move worth of consideration. In all cases, Blue is well advised not to break the ace point anchor, for the moment. After hitting with 11/5* (I decided to follow the above theory), I will continue with 13/9, trying to keep a positional character in the position and not with the committal and ugly 5/1*. I vote for 13/9 11/5*.
Snowie: 21/11.
This isn't great, but it is better than anything else. I bring a newchecker to the offensive front where I will need ammunition, and I don'tleave White anything to shoot at. All of the alternatives have someserious flaw. My play doesn't.
Marty Storer: 21/11.
White's blocking chances aren't great with a stacked6 point and two checkers rushed forward from the midpoint to the 3.Therefore Blue's 24 anchor is a better asset than might be expected.Considering that alternatives involve big concessions, Blue canafford to lose his slot for the 21 point. Running to the 11 pointkeeps pressure on White's back checkers, safely and solidly.
Bob Stringer: 21/11.
8/2, 6/2 can't be right, since it really strings out the position.24/14 is too risky, since it invites White to hit me when he hasthe stronger board. Unlike in the case of 21/11, it crimps myflexibility by putting a checker in jeopardy -- I don't want tohave to worry about lifting a blot from the 14 point when I haveother things to do. If my position weren't so nothing on White'sside of the board, I'd consider doing something that hits. Buthitting gives up the only point I've made so far, and unless Idouble hit (which doesn't accomplish anything that I can see), theodds are that White will hit back - again, when he has thestronger board. 21/11 escapes a checker to a safe place, fromwhich it's available to make a good point. That looks like thebest I can do with a not-very-good roll.
Kit Woolsey: 21/11.
Why not? I can use another checker in the attacking zone, and my backcheckers aren't in any particular danger of being primed. Making thetwo point is anti-positional, and other plays leave a shot which I wouldrather not leave.
Chris Yep: 8/2, 6/2.
Hitting (11/5*) is often right in the opening, but here it breaks the 11 point and comes at a time when Blue is outboarded. Blue can also make the bar point, but this still breaks the 11 point (and leaves a direct shot). I prefer the quiet approaches, 21/11 or 8/2 6/2. Between these moves, I have a slight preference for 8/2 6/2. 21/11 escapes a back man, but unslots the 21 point and reduces Blue's coverage of the outfield. Blue is way behind in the race, so wants to play a holding game (e.g. by making the 21 point). 8/2 6/2 keeps all of Blue's points, creates a new inner board point, and preserves Blue's chances to make an advanced anchor next turn. On the downside, 8/2 6/2 makes a deep inner board point and strips the 8 point, but I still like 8/2 6/2 over 21/11.
Summary: Not much doubt here. Quietly bringing that builder tothe 11 point and waiting was the overwhelming choice of the panel.
Play Votes Score21/11 7 10013/9, 11/5* 1 608/2, 6/2 1 6024/14 0 4024/20, 11/5* 0 4013/7, 11/7 0 4011/5*, 5/1* 0 40
Problem 4
| 146 152 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 22/15.
When playing against the 18-point anchor, running is moreof an option than the pipcount might indicate. Opp'spotential upcoming timing trouble means a few pips caneasily be made up with an efficient bearin, compared tocrunching rolls for the holder. 24/21 and 22/18 may seemgood as single dice, but they don't go well together, andeither alone leaves a less than ideal second die. Dumpingin the homeboard doesn't seem right. 13/6 is OK but I'drather get a back checker moving. That leaves 22/15.
Doug Doub: 24/21, 8/4.
Lots of reasonable choices and none of them veryattractive. It is not very useful to 'resplit' our back men, but otherchoices either add to our stack on the 6pt, leave another direct shot, orput two blots in our board. I suppose 22-15 is not too bad, but it does notseem to accomplish all that much even if we are missed. At least my movestarts a good point in our board, while being only moderately risky on theother side of the board.
Neil Kazaross: 13/6.
Many choices here. The "obvious" 22/15 doesn't accomplish very much andleaves shots and leaves the rear checker alone without a race lead. The barslot 22/18, 8/5 is possible but doesn't attack any stripped points andleaves an inner board blot vulnerable if a return shot is hit. This is my2nd choice. So it looks like we should play from or midpoint and the"beginner play" of 13/6 looks better than play which leaves an outerboardblot. I'll keep my rear checkers where they are and play 13/6.
George Klitsas: 24/21, 8/4.
I think that 24/21 is mandatory. Blue needs to control the outfield, where otherwise White would gleefully put his checkers with most of his rolls. At the same time, Blue slots an advanced anchor. With the four, I slightly prefer 8/4 over 13/9.
Snowie: 13/6.
Running a back checker doesn't accomplish mush when it works, and whenit doesn't work it is bad. A lot could be happening quickly as Whitetries to build up his board, so I'm not too happy about stripping theeight point and leaving an inner board blot. The simple 13/6 looksfine. It brings a new checker into position for board-building withoutupsetting anything.
Marty Storer: 22/15.
Making the 22, 21 or 18 point would have been nice, butBlue must do his best with his crummy 43. If he could make someconcrete forward improvement, he could leave the back checkerswhere they are, hoping to anchor next time and playing againstsuch rolls as 63 and 54. Unfortunately he can't really improveon his side of the board. All attempts to do so (an example is22/18 8/5) are tactically suspect. Running seems to be the bestof a bad choice. The race is close, and escaping one checker isvery desirable.
Bob Stringer: 13/6.
I'd like to start a point in my inner board, except that I have toplay both dice. I really don't like coming out to the bar point,since that invites him to hit and get something going.Fortunately, I don't have to strip the midpoint to play it safe,and so that's what I'll do.
Kit Woolsey: 24/21, 8/4.
I would like to make some advanced anchor to counter White's advancedanchor, and this looks like the best shot. Advancing to the 21 pointmakes it more
Chris Yep: 24/21, 8/4.
The race is close, but White has an advanced anchor. If Blue doesn't make an advanced anchor himself, he will have a timing problem. The boards are roughly equal (each side has a 2-point board), so I like trying for an advanced anchor this move. Several moves are possible, but I prefer 24/21 8/4. 24/21 slots both the 22 point and 21 point (so that if White hits loose, Blue can make an advanced anchor from the bar). With the 4, Blue slots the best available inner board point. 13/9 is also good, since it's flexible and doesn't strip the 8 point, but leaving a 3rd blot is a little loose in my opinion.
Summary: It isn't at all obvious just where Blue should be makinghis stand with his back checkers. Each approach has some flaws, and thepanel was very divided on this point.
Play Votes Score24/21, 8/4 4 10013/6 3 9022/15 2 8024/21, 13/9 0 4024/21, 6/2 0 4022/18, 8/5 0 4013/9, 8/5 0 408/5, 6/2 0 40
Problem 5
| 135 156 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 24/18, 13/11.
Slotting and blotting the 6th point of a prime is often right,but the 5th point is a different story. Even when it worksopp has an alternate escape route. This looks like a goodroll to work on getting an advanced anchor. The big questionfor me is "which point do I start?" Three checkers spread out on the low points leave quite a few high anchor building rolls. The 18-point by itself is more valuable but more dangerous to blot. As usual, the hits on the 18-point are qualitatively offset by return shots. Looking through White's36 rolls, Blue's 24/18 looks a bit better. Blue does havethe superior board so playing boldly is reasonable.
Doug Doub: 24/16.
There are several good plays here, including 24-18,13-11covering the whole board, and 13-5, going after the best point on our sideof the board while maintaining our anchor. 24-16 does the most towardgetting another man on our side of the board, while forcing White to break apoint if he is going to hit. The back men are not in much danger, so Idon't mind having them split right now.
Neil Kazaross: 13/5.
It looks natural to try to split here, but I fear that White israther well situated to attack any split. I lean towards slotting my 5 point since I note that 3's and 6's are somewhat duped and some non escaping rolls don't play well if they cannot be used to attack. 13/5 with a slight preference for me.
George Klitsas: 24/22, 13/7.
13/5 is the move that might pass unnoticed by any player. This move surely has merit, duping some 3's, but is it the best one? I guess not. I prefer to bring a useful spare to the bar point (13/7) and split one of the back checkers (24/22), a relatively safer split, compared to the split on White's bar point.
Snowie: 13/5.
I have been teaching slot-crazy humans the dangers of slotting for years.There are times when it is right to slot, however, and this is oneof them. I need my five point badly, and if I don't slot it now itwill be difficult to make it later. I'm behind in the race, have moremen back, and have the stronger inner board, so I don't mind the action.In addition White makes his own five point with 6-3 or 3-1, so there isa fair amount of duplication.
Marty Storer: 24/16.
13/5 is also good, but 24/16 puts pressure on bothoutfields and does more to mobilize the back checkers. AgainstWhite's weaker and relatively undeveloped board, Blue need nothave much fear of leaving three blots. The key for me is thatsomething may have to give for White on his side of the boardthis very roll, so pressure on White's outfield is useful.13/5 is thematic and tempting, but it seems a bit too slow.It doesn't seem to do enough to divert White from making hisbar or 5 point. 24/16 is much better in that respect.
Bob Stringer: 24/18, 13/11.
My first thought was to split with 24/22 while I had the betterboard, but I dumped that idea fairly quickly, since White'sstacked 6 and 8 points put him in a good position to attack threestrung-out blots in his inner board. I'm concerned about 24/18 forsimilar reasons, but I've got to do *something* with those backcheckers. I don't like 24/16 as much, since it lets White hitwithout his leaving too many shots. I'm not sure what to make of13/5. It certainly starts my best point when I have to leave ashot somewhere in any case, but once I put the checker there Ibadly need a 1 to cover it. Also, I'm more concerned about fixingthings on White's side of the board. 24/18, 13/11 seems to do thebest job of forcing White to roll well.
Kit Woolsey: 13/5.
This is a perfect time for slotting. I need the five point badly. I havemore men back, I am behind in the race, I have the stronger inner board,and containing White's last back checker is very important. Other playsdon't get to the heart of the position.
Chris Yep: 24/18, 13/11.
Blue has more men back and a stronger board, arguing for an active play. 24/18 fights for the outfield and is especially effective since it confronts White's stripped outfield points. Given that I like 24/18, the best 2 appears to be 13/11, giving Blue double coverage of his outfield as well as providing another builder for the 5 point.
Summary: Offense or defense? All the action plays look prettygood, but which is more productive? I still slotting the five pointa lot here. It feels so right.
Play Votes Score13/5 3 10024/18, 13/11 3 9024/16 2 8024/22, 13/7 1 7024/22, 24/18 0 40
Problem 6
| 180 158 | White money game Blue |
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.
Play Votes Score8/7, 8/2 6 10021/15, 2/1* 2 7013/7, 2/1* 1 6021/14 0 407/1*, 2/1 0 40
Problem 7
| 142 168 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 22/11.
Is making the barpoint here worth the awkward 5 that remains?I think the answer is "maybe." The 5-8 prime is so strong thatI can't see eschewing it. Dumping behind White's anchor isalso pretty nauseating with builders at a premium. The onlynon-covering roll that even tempts me is 22/11 which gives alot of covers if White misses. But that's a pretty big 'IF'.OTOH, the midpoint is definitely valuable here. Maybe thesure midpoint with possibilities of also getting the barpointis better than the sure barpoint with no hope of owning themidpoint. If White hits on the barpoint, that's only thethird checker back which is the same number imprisoned after13/8, 13/7. And as always, White's hits (which look correct) give up the anchor and leave returns. Even amidpoint iconoclast appreciates the midpoint sometimes.
Doug Doub: 22/11.
I would be happy to cover the bar point if I could do socomfortably. However, that is not the case. Freeing a man does a greatdeal for our timing here. Our racing deficit puts us in reasonable shape ina prime vs prime battle, as long as we don't have too many men back.Further, if we are hit on our bar point, we should have plenty of rolls thatreturn hit.
Neil Kazaross: 22/11.
We desparately need some air here ! 22/11 is my clear choice sinceif we play 13/7, the 5 stinks.
George Klitsas: 22/11.
The main idea is that the bar point must remain slotted, in order for Blue to cover it and, more or less, equalize the game. White is not a favorite to hit anywhere, especially on Blue's bar point, and Blue is a favorite to make it, if not hit.
Snowie: 22/11.
I need air! If I don't run the back checker now, it may be a long timebefore I get another chance to leap White's blockade. It is too bad aboutthe blot left on the bar point, but White doesn't have to hit it. IfWhite misses I will be a big favorite to cover it next roll, and then I willbe in position to put up some kind of a fight in the priming battle.
Marty Storer: 22/11.
Were it not for the bad 5, Blue would eagerly makehis bar. The choice is between forgoing the bar for the momentand running one back checker, or breaking the midpoint to makethe bar, 13/7 13/8. Putting a checker behind White's anchor isthe very wrong idea. Both the above choices have their attractions,but I don't like the prospect of four checkers back with reducedoutfield control. 22/11 feels pure and strong; 13/7 13/8 feelstoo disjoint.
Bob Stringer: 22/11.
I want to make my bar point, but there's just nothing to be donewith the 5. 13/8, 13/7 is the sort of play I'd make over the boardand regret latter -- I simply can't break the midpoint anddisconnect my checkers that badly. 13/7, 6/1 takes a checker outof play when there's still too much to be done to improve myposition. 22/11 simply recognizes that I've got a crummy positionwhich requires me to take a risk to improve things. If White*doesn't* hit the blot on the bar point, I have a good chance ofcovering it and then things will be looking up.
Kit Woolsey: 13/8, 13/7.
I think I have to have my bar point if I am going to be able to putsufficient pressure on White in the future. Playing 21/11 isolates myback two checkers from the rest of the world. It is bad if White hits,and if White doesn't hit he still has a big edge in the priming battle.Staying on the 22 point gives me a chance to make than anchor in thefuture, which would be very nice.
Chris Yep: 22/11.
As a common saying goes, "Do what's difficult for you to do. Make your opponent do what's difficult for him to do." (Robertie, 501 Essential Backgammon Problems, problem 254, p. 199.) It's difficult for Blue to escape White's prime cleanly, while it's difficult for White to roll a 4. 22/11 works great when White fails to roll a 4, since Blue will now be a big favorite to complete the 4-prime and gain a significant timing advantage.
The panel was near-unanimous in its decision to spring a back checkerrather than lock up the bar point. It still isn't obvious to methat making the bar point is so wrong here. Will it be so easy forBlue to win without the bar point, particularly with his army dividedin two? Perhaps the timing will break down, but I'm not sold yet.
Play Votes Score22/11 8 10013/8, 13/7 1 6022/16, 13/8 0 4022/16, 7/2 0 4013/7, 6/1 0 408/2, 7/2 0 40
Problem 8
| 114 147 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 10/5, 9/3.
I don't know if Kit saved the best for last, but I sure didn't.This one looks tough. Hitting may be thematic, but fourblots and oodles of return shots isn't. Ditto for makingthe 8-point. Slotting the 8-point and making the inefficient9-point looks bad, too. Nor can I see putting two buildersdeep in the homeboard. OTOH, one is tolerable since theaccompanying die starts the valuable 5 point, leaves only one blot and 11 shots, and duplicates White's covering 3's. By process of elimination I'm going with 10/5, 9/3.
Doug Doub: 14/9, 14/8.
Hitting on the 2pt with 13-2* would work great if Whitefanned, but I think that four blots is too many for this position. Hittingmight give us the best chance of winning, but it will certainly surrenderthe most gammons.
On the other hand, playing completely safe is too passive. Bringing two mendown from the 14pt gives us good attacking chances without leaving us wideopen if we are hit.
Neil Kazaross: 14/9, 14/8.
Many choices here. First of all, 21/10 asks to be blitzed into nextmonth. Therefore we should play from one of our two midpoints since nearly killing the outfield builders looks wrong (9/3, 10/5 looks hard to follow up with all the strippage) 13/2x looks a bit too loose and leaves many blots to clean up. I think the best choice is to come of the 14 point with both checkers, although 14/9, 10/4 looks close. I vote for 14/9, 14/8 and hope to be missed and then improve next roll.
George Klitsas: 14/9, 14/8.
The main idea here is that Blue must press White to roll well, while both players have inner boards of equal strength and White has also a blot in his inner board. From this aspect, there are only two conceivable plays, in my opinion, namely 14/9 14/8 and 13/2*. After the first, White is hard pressed to roll a six immediately, after the latter, basically a two from the bar. Although 13/2* puts White on the bar, where he can even dance 1/4 of the time, this play leaves too many blots strewn around. A fact that sways me to vote for the more conservative 14/9 14/8.
Snowie: 14/9, 10/4.
I need the right combination of safety and attacking here. My playdoesn't let White hit with the back checker, cleans up blots, makesa potentially important point in my outer board, and brings a builderinto position to attack White's blot if it stays put. Slotting theeight point concedes too much when White hits.
Marty Storer: 14/9, 14/8.
Always Hit, some fool once said, so maybe it'sfoolish to leave White alone. But the blot in White's boarddoesn't seem to recommend 13/2* over the more conservative14/8 14/9. Unfortunately, 13/2* leaves four blots and slotsonly the 2 point, while 14/8 14/9 is purer, leaves only twoblots, and gives better blocking chances as well as someattacking options.
Bob Stringer: 14/9, 14/8.
I have to vacate the 14 point or midpoint sooner or later, so I'lldo it now when there's nothing else constructive to be done. IfWhite misses, I then have a good chance of making the 8 point.Everything else looks too pitiful -- 10/4, 9/4 being no less thanpitiful-and-a-half. 13/2* isn't productive enough since my 5 pointis open. 14/8, 13/8 leaves too many shots. Everything else takescheckers semi-out-of-play by dumping them on my 3 or 4 point. Thatsmacks too much of giving up on my side of the board.
Chris Yep: 14/9, 14/8.
13/2* is too loose, while 10/4 9/4 is too passive (and awkward). Slotting the 5 point (10/5 9/3) looks wrong, since Blue only has one direct cover (and has to strip the 6 point just to make this direct cover). 14/8 13/8 blocks 6s, but leaves 4 blots, 2 direct shots, and gives White too many hit and cover numbers. This leaves 14/9 14/8 and 14/9 10/4. 14/9 14/8 attempts to force the issue next turn, while 14/9 10/4 is more positional. Given White's inner board blot and the significant offensive opportunities that Blue has if White misses (Blue has chances to make the 5, 7, or 8 point), I like 14/9 14/8.
Kit Woolsey: 14/9, 10/4.
I don't want to slot the eight point, since this gives White a chance tohit with the checker he wants to get moving. Getting hit on the 14 pointisn't nearly as bad, since that forces White to break his midpoint andhis back checker is still stuck. Otherwise, my play cleans up blotsmakes an outfield point, and brings in a builder for a later attack. The object here is to attack,not to prime.
Summary: The panel solidly went for slotting the eight point. Idon't see this at all. Getting hit with the fleeing checker is a disaster,and since White has one checker back a priming approach isn't the rightidea anyway.
Play Votes Score14/9, 14/8 6 10014/9, 10/4 2 7010/5, 9/3 1 6014/8, 13/8 0 4013/2* 0 4010/4, 9/4 0 4010/5, 9/3 0 40
Vote Summary
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Chuck Bower 22/18, 20/18 24/22, 9/3* 21/11 22/15 24/18, 13/11 21/15, 2/1* 22/11 10/5, 9/3Doug Doub 13/9, 11/9 24/22, 9/3* 21/11 24/21, 8/4 24/16 8/7, 8/2 22/11 14/9, 14/8Neil Kazaross 13/9, 11/9 24/22, 9/3* 21/11 13/6 13/5 8/7, 8/2 22/11 14/9, 14/8George Klitsas 22/20, 11/7 13/7, 9/7 13/9, 11/5* 24/21, 8/4 24/22, 13/7 13/7, 2/1* 22/11 14/9, 14/8Snowie 22/18, 20/18 24/22, 9/3* 21/11 13/6 13/5 8/7, 8/2 22/11 14/9, 10/4Marty Storer 22/20, 13/9 24/22, 9/3* 21/11 22/15 24/16 8/7, 8/2 22/11 14/9, 14/8Bob Stringer 22/20, 13/9 24/22, 9/3* 21/11 13/6 24/18, 13/11 8/7, 8/2 22/11 14/9, 14/8Kit Woolsey 22/18, 20/18 13/7, 9/7 21/11 24/21, 8/4 13/5 8/7, 8/2 13/8, 13/7 14/9, 10/4Chris Yep 13/9, 11/9 24/22, 9/3* 8/2, 6/2 24/21, 8/4 24/18, 13/11 21/15, 2/1* 22/11 14/9, 14/8