Chuck Bower: 13/7(2), 8/2(2)*.13/7(2) is the one of only two rolls which makes a new point, the other being13/1(2)* which seems too commital. 8/2(2)* makes a homeboard point on White'shead, hinders White progress this turn, maintains good builder distribution,and leaves only six return hits on Blue's side of the board. No other play does so many positive things.
Malcolm Davis: 21/9, 13/7(2).
Any play that includes making the 2-point can be ruledout. Breaking the 8-point this early in the game is almost always wrong, even to point on my opponent. This play seems to be the natural play, and pretty clear.
Hal Heinrich: 13/1*, 8/2(2)*.
Tough play. Stylistically, I like 21/9, 13/7(2) - a nice pure play.A couple of considerations indicate a more tactical play - namely White's outfield blot and a centered cube. 13/7(2) 8/2(2)* is a reasonable compromise play, but Blue has started the twenty-one pointand getting hit may allow Blue to make that point.
George Klitsas: 21/9, 13/7(2).
I think that the positional assets of the position resulting after the natural 21/9 13/7(2) outweigh the possible immediate gain from hitting deep on the ace point or both lowest points. After my play the rolls of 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 and 4-3 that hit my blots, are duplicated in various ways.
Laila Leonhardt: 21/9, 13/7(2).
Sometimes a move simply just looks pretty.Of course all moves has logic and strategy to them, but often we are guided by our visual logic.When something looks correct (or all other options look ugly), it will most likely be the right move.The logic: The gain is you escape a back checker, make the bar point and if not hit, or White fails to make an anchor you have a very strong game. The loss is leaving 14 indirect hits but the strength of the position even after hit outweighs the extra shots.
Rob Maier: 13/7(2), 8/2(2)*.
This play does a little bit of everything. Putting White up on the roof is nice, making the bar is nice, we make it less likely to be sent back, thus more likely to be able to consolidate the racing gain. We're also fairly well placed to continue the attack if things go that way. Perhaps, with the cube in the middle, we're supposed to go ahead and hit on the ace point as well, but that looks pretty strung out.
Kevin McGrath: 21/9, 13/7(2)
I played 13/7(2) first. I don't like hitting on the 2 point at the cost of the 8 now that Blue has jumped into the lead. 21/9 brings a man from White's home board and starts a prime. Blue's trailer isn't in any immediate danger and White could be looking at an early cube if he doesn't hit.
Martin Short: 13/1*, 8/2(2)*.
6's after the split usually baffle me but when myopponent has split to the 2pt I usually like thedouble hit. It doesn't strip my midpoint and itusually leads to some gammons with all those extras onthe 6pt ready to jump into the fray and another of myopponents blot waiting to be picked up in theoutfield. My choice is 13/1*, 8/2(2)*.
Snowie: 13/1*, 8/2(2)*.
Once again, when in doubt attack! Putting two enemy checkers on the baris much more effective than most players realize. Even though myposition after 13/1*, 8/2(2)* is a bit strung out, the potential for carryingout a full blitz if White rolls badly from the bar makes this the right play.
Marty Storer: 21/9, 13/7(2).
This is a tough one. For me itcomes down to 13/1*(2) or 13/7(2) 21/9. Playing toblock two back checkers is more thematic than hittingtwo (disjoint and somewhat risky). It's more thematiceven than 13/1*(2), which may work out, but may be tooantipositional even for Blue's racing plans. AfterBlue makes the 1 point, if White then makes Blue's 2point, he'll have a very good game. However, 13/7(2)21/9 leaves 15 shots at one of the outside checkers,whereas making the 1 point leaves only 22, 44 and 56as strong returns. Is the blocking potential, flexibility,plus escaping possibility worth all those extra shots?I'm not sure, but I'll go with the Mary Hickey play of13/7(2) 21/9.
Bob Stringer: 13/1*, 8/2(2)*.
This play is almost automatic for me in this kind of position. Thedouble hit puts White back on his heels. I have enough men in range toblitz if the rolls go my way.
Casper van der Tak: 21/9, 13/7(2).
When ahead in the race, race! This play leaves excellent building potential as well. I do not see anything else in this position.
Kit Woolsey: 13/7(2), 8/2(2)*.
Playing positionaly with something like 21/9, 13/7(2) doesn't feel quiteright. That would give White a chance to consolidate his position. Onthe other hand, we don't have the ammunition for a full-scale attack.13/7(2), 8/2(2)* is a good compromise. Plenty of attack potential if weget the opportunity, but still a good structure if the dice tell usto go positionally.
Chris Yep: 13/1(2)*.
With a big racing lead, Blue wants to race. The problem is that the natural racing moves leave a surprising number of indirect shots. For example 21/9 13/7(2) leaves 15 (6-4, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, 5-3, 5-2, 4-3, 4-4) indirect shots. I prefer 13/1(2)*. While it strips the midpoint, it drastically cuts down on shots, puts White on the bar, and keeps the rest of Blue's structure in place.
Summary: The vote was mixed, but the purer play won out. It doesappear as though Blue is a little short on attack material to carry out ablitz right now.
