Alan Alsop: 8/4, 8/3.Blue's back men are isolated. Running is an option, but exposes Blue to attack. The men on the midpt and 10 pt are more useful where they are. Make points in the homeboard and wait for White to move is probably the better move.
Chuck Bower: 8/4, 8/3.
"Don't be the first one to leave a direct shot in a mutualholding game." In a way, that axiom doesn't apply sinceWhite has already done so, in his homeboard. The two finalistsin my book both involve covering with 8/3. Then either 10/6or 8/4. The former is a bit better if White hits and thelatter a bit better if White misses. Since White is anunderdog to hit (and hitting carries some trepidation forWhite, regardless) I've decided to go for the fast boardbuilding play and slot the 4-point.
Ilia Guzei: 10/6, 8/3.
I am behind in the race and have an anchor, yet after the play I will have the better board so I can volunteer leaving a blot. The opponent�s threes are duplicated. This play diversifies my numbers and leaves many spares with no wasted checkers.
Neil Kazaross: 8/4, 8/3.
Running one man doesn't solve our problems and leaves us somewhatbehind in the race and open to attacking jokers. With that in mind, we need to play on our side of the table. My slight preference is to take a chance to build up our board with 8-3, 8-4 before White's board becomes stronger. 8-3, 10-6 is also reasonable and retains the 8 point rather than the 10 point and clearing the 10 point is safe butperhaps too wimpy. 8-3, 8-4 to strive for a quick 4 point board is my choice.
George Klitsas: 10/6, 10/5.
22/13 is anti-thematic (behind in the race) and setting a �trap� with 10/6 8/3 is the play that might work against a weak opponent that would hit with any three (even a 2-1) but not against a perfect opponent who would hit only if he could conveniently do so.Remains the natural play 10/6 10/5 (my solution), with a decent chance for Blue to win the timing battle.
Laila Leonhardt: 22/13.
To some it may seem a little early and aggressive to start leaping of theanchor and when trailing slightly in the race.But it is a very long race and one thing is for sure if Blue sticks aroundclinging to his anchor. Blue will be stripped from flexibility and will beleaving some painful shots in a few rolls. Owning the cube he doesn't haveto fear being challenged in a tight spot when trying to escape, but nice andeasy he can aim for a bar point (White) - Midpoint (Blue) holding game,where White is going to be forced into leaving a bid shot against Blue'sthen strong home board. No doubt White should go for hitting and blitzingBlue if possible to avoid getting stuck on the bar point.
Snowie: 10/6, 8/3.
I need to put a board together fast. My play makes the three point andgives me good distribution to make the four point. Holding the ten pointisn't particularly important here -- I can't hold everything anyway.
Marty Storer: 8/4, 8/3.
Behind in the race, plenty of contact, White isfrontloaded with a blot in his board. Those factors promptaggression, so Blue should build his board quickly. Blot,schmot.
Bob Stringer: 10/6, 8/3.
I'm behind in the race, so running is not the right plan. Breakingthe 8 point looks bad -- it makes the inner board look good, butthe 8 is a good point to keep, and I don't think I'm going to bekeeping that 10 point much longer anyway. In that connection,timing is important in this position, and it will be easier tomaneuver if the 10 point goes before the 8 does, rather than viceversa. The question in my mind is whether making the 3 point isworth leaving a blot on the 10. I think so. Definitely, in fact.Bringing both checkers from the 10 into the inner board puts me ina position where it may be difficult to make more points, and Imay even have to dump checkers deep into my board in the nearfuture. Leaving a blot on the 10 point doesn't mean I want to behit, but even if I am, I can be thankful that my board isstronger. Also, 3's are duplicated.
Casper van der Tak: 10/6, 8/3.
Behind in the race and holding the cube, Blue should not give up the anchor. It is unlikely that the different pays that do that are far apart; 10/6 8/3 builds another point and creates some flexibility, which is why it is my choice. Hits are not costly for Blue with the White checker on the deuce on the loose. Indeed, White will not hit with all hitting numbers. 10/6 10/5 is probably very close though.
Kit Woolsey: 8/4, 8/3.
Running a back checker is not the right idea. We aren't ahead in the race,and that just risks getting pounded on if White rolls well. We need tobuild up our board without wrecking our position. 8/4, 8/3 is the playwhich puts our checkers where they belong -- making the three point andstarting the four point. After this play, we will havebe in good position to make the four point next turn and have a serious boardto fight with. The blot we leave on the eight point is in no great danger.We have the stronger inner board, White has a blotin his inner board, and White will be breaking his anchor to hit. Thus,White will be hitting at his own risk.
Chris Yep: 10/6, 10/5.
Blue is behind in the race and White has future awkwardness (due to his front-loaded prime and open 4 point) so I believe Blue should stay on his anchor. Also there's no rush to make the 3 point immediately since (1) it doesn't make the next point in line (if Blue could instead cover a blot on his 4 pt., he would have more incentive to do so), (2) White won't be leaving a shot next turn. 8/3 5/1 strips Blue's structure and awkwardly dumps a blot to the ace point while other moves leave an outfield blot giving White a few unnecessary jokers. I like 10/6 10/5, giving Blue a lot of playable spares to make the 3 and 4 points in the next few turns.
Summary: The concensus of the panel was that building up the big boardquickly had priority over safety. The choice of which outer board pointto break appears to be a close decision. The eight point has slightly morelasting value, but starting the four point immediately is very important.
