Chuck Bower: 17/10.Safe vs. bold definitely argues against hitting loose or makingthe barpoint. Going from three blots down to one is thematic.23/17, 10/9 has the advantage of keeping the back checkers linkedbut 20 White shots take a huge bite out of Blue's race lead.17/10 grabs a nice outfield point but abandons the back checker.White can't make huge gains after this play and the checker onthe 23-point is neither primed nor under serious attack for acouple of rolls. I'll settle for a moderate gain with littleimmediate downside risk.
Doug Doub: 17/10.
This one is clear. It is normally correct to use an ace tounstack the 6pt when an opponent splits to our 5pt. However, White wouldhave more returns than normal, and we would pass up the chance of making agood point at no risk. White has a stronger inner board, and we have a hugeracing lead. If White makes our 5pt, we can live with that.
George Klitsas: 17/10.
Making the bar point is nice, but leaves three blots strewn around, so I will reject this move and look for something else. Linking the back checkers (23/17) is strong and solid, combined with 6/5* [all of White's sixes are awkward for one roll] and not with the harmless 10/9. Another good and solid move is simply making the 10 point. I am between those two alternatives. Not at all sure of my choice - I think they are close in equity terms - I will go for 17/10.
Mary Lee Pinkney: 17/10.
Since I am ahead in the race, and my man on the 23 point isn't trapped or threatened by White, I feel it is best to secure another outer board point on the 10 point.
Snowie: 17/10.
A valuable point and only one blot which isn't in much danger. No otherplay appears close.
Marty Storer: 17/10.
Somewhat similar to a problem in another issue. Thatproblem caused some controversy. Interested readers can trawlaround in the ocean of backlogs. Briefly, in the previous problem therewere more factors in favor of making the 17 point, and, surprisinglyto many of us, making the 17 (which left many forward shots againstWhite's multiple back checkers) showed up very well in rollouts. Here,the case for making the 17 point is much less because White's forwardposition is weaker. So 17/10 looks like the clear choice here. 17/10cleans up two blots and leaves the remaining one in no real danger.Other moves take insufficient advantage of Blue's strengths: racinglead and edge in number of back checkers. The 10 point is a very strongasset: a base for enduring building power, and a good blocking pointagainst an opposing advanced anchor. The 23-point checker exerts usefulpressure on White's bar-point blot.
Bob Stringer: 17/10.
17/10 is the play that caught my eye right away, and thinking itover I still don't see alternatives that appeal quite as much.This far ahead in the race, consolidating the position a bit can'tbe bad. 17/10 picks up two of my blots and makes a good point. Inaddition, White has only 6 rolls that both make my 5 point andcover his bar point. 17/11 and making my bar point both look wayloose. 23/17, 6/5* doesn't leave all those blots floating around,but I can pretty much count on being hit. 23/17, 10/9 isn't toobad, but I don't like it as much as 17/10 because I'd ratherimprove my side of the board and not give up so many shots.
Casper van der Tak: 23/17, 6/5*.
23/17 seems crystal clear, to escape the last back checker and make a useful semi-anchor. Remains an ace, 10/9 or 6/5*. 10/9 leaves White free to hit or to make an advanced anchor, so 6/5, bringing a checker from the stack on the 6 into action is attractive, even though it leaves more shots and blots. If Blue is going to take advantage of his 40+ pips lead in the race he should have some structure, so it seems a good idea to gamble part of the lead in an attempt to improve his structure.
Note that Magriel's criteria for bold vs. safe play point towards a safe play, but as I have remarked before I believe that if the race and number of back checkers gets too uneven these criteria lose some of their relevance.
Kit Woolsey: 17/10.
I'm ahead in the race, so I want to concentrate on the offense ratherthan the defense. The ten point is a big point to make -- it will beof value later regardless of whan course the game takes. White willhave plenty of difficulty containing my lone back checker.
Chris Yep: 17/10.
Since Blue only has a 1-point board, he will have a difficult time getting home safely without leaving shots. Thus, hitting loose (6/5*) is a strong contender. On the other hand 17/10 escapes a back man and gives Blue good outfield structure. Blue has fewer men back and is outboarded, further arguing for the quiet play. Although I'd definitely hit loose if a chouette partner felt strongly about it, I have a slight preference for 17/10 in this position.
Summary: Not much doubt about this one. The panel properly dismissedall the red herrings such as making the 17 point, the bar point, or hittingloose on the five point, and nicely consolidated the position.
