| 158 196 |                         | White money game Blue |
Problem #7 Play Votes ScoreB/21 4 100B/23, 8/7(2) 2 80B/24, 6/5*, 5/3* 2 80B/24, 8/7(2), 6/5 1 60B/22, 6/5* 0 40B/23, 24/23, 6/5* 0 40B/23, 21/20, 6/5* 0 40 B/24, 8/5* 0 40
Steve Clark: B/24, 6/5*, 5/3*.
One approach is to play b-21. This builds our defense but unfortunatelyinsures that we have an inferior position for a while. An alternativeis to play b-24, 8-7(2) and presumably 6-5 with the fourth ace. Thishas the unfortunate drawback that we then will have three men on the 24point while leaving attractive blots elsewhere. A third alternative,and one which I favor, is to play b-24, 6-3, hitting twice. This leavesus very awkwardly place with poor diversification. The advantage isthat putting 2 blots on the bar gives our opponent very baddiversification also. Perhaps we can improve our position faster thanhe can. Maybe he will roll double 6's. I will try this one.
George Klitsas: B/21.
So many different plays here. I was ready to settle for B/23 8/7(2)- starting a small prime of my own and noticing the duplication of two's for White - when I noticed that after B/23 going all the way to the 21 point is probably better than 8/7(2) - but I had already rejected B/21! This shows the value of directly comparing plays that have part of the move in common. Still, I am not sure. Other plays have merit and I would not be surprised if B/23 21/20 6/5* or B/24 8/5* or even B/24 6/5*/3* trying to keep White busy in order to remove with a timely six his builder on the nine point, were shown to be better than my play. Since I must vote for something in this rich and unusual position, I will go with the solidity of the made 21 point (B/21). White is a bit disorganized and he can't do everything in his next roll. Deprived of any targets (Blue checkers) himself, he will probably leave me some targets to work on, deploying my spares, a fact that will sometimes allow me to go forwards and moreoften to gain timing for a backgame.
Rob Maier: B/23, 8/7(2).
Hitting doesn't seem particularly progressive. Having three checkers on the opponents ace point is good enough reason to move one. B/21 is pretty pessimistic.
Snowie: B/24, 6/5*, 5/3*.
Hit, hit, and keep on hitting. The key is the blot on White's ten point. Itis vital for me to get a crack at that blot, and the only way is to double-hit.Even if White hits back, I will still get a shot at that blot. I am waybehind in the race already, so if I have to I can regroup and play a backgame. However right now I want to go forward, and that means stopping Whitefrom making any progress and hitting that blot on the ten point.
Bob Stringer: B/21.
Many choices, but I resolve it fairly easily with myrule of thumb for doubles: come away with an asset. Ananchor on White's 4 point is a strong asset.
Casper Van Der Tak: B/21.
Four checkers back against two, build an advanced anchor and be in the game for a long time. I suppose B/24 8/7(2) 6/5* and B/24 24/23 8/7(2) could be considered as well, but Blue could lose pretty quickly over the next few rolls if he does not make the advanced anchor and gets pointed on. That would OK if building Blue's offensive would help a lot, but it doesn't - even after making the bar, Blue's front position is still weak and not very threatening.
Kit Woolsey: B/24, 8/7(2), 6/5*.
Offensive assets are everything. Making the bar point has to have thehighest priority -- that is where the spares on the eight point belong.For the fourth ace, Blue might as well lash at White's blot. If Blue getslucky he could make the five point and have a good offense. In the morelikely scenario where White hits back, Blue should have little troubleentering and repositioning his back men profitably.
Chris Yep: B/21.
Defense or offense? With most of the action on White's side of the board, I prefer defense. White has 9 men on his side of the board including 3 builders aimed at the 4 point. B/21 gives Blue a permanent advanced anchor and prevents White from making the 4 point on Blue's head. If Blue wants to work on his offense he can either make his bar point, fight for his 5 point, or double hit. The problem with these moves is that Blue doesn't have enough checkers in immediate range to follow-up. White is under little pressure and is a big favorite to make an advanced anchor no matter what Blue does. On the other hand, if White makes the 4 point on Blue's head, Blue will be significantly worse off. Thus I believe that Blue should make the all-defense move of simply locking up the 21 point.
Summary: The panel consensus was to quietly make the second anchor andwait. Is this really right? White isn't threatening much, and there areblots to be hit and points to be made on the offensive front. Just how badcan my super-pure choice of B/24, 8/7(2), 6/5* be? It sure puts the checkerswhere they belong.