102
money game
Blue
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Problem 1
| 158 102 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 16/10.
Blue just wants to get around, in, and off. The road will likely be bumpy,but the direct approach appears best. Breaking the block just divertsBlue from the gameplan. 21/15 unecessarily leaves two easy targets. 16/10gets one checker to safety (barring jokers) and leaves the other onerelatively safe for now, since White's builders are poorly placed.
Steve Clark: 21/15.
We are rather short of builders because of the men we have sent on tothe ace point. As a result if we give up our 5 out of 6 prime, we wehave limited chance of repairing it. Since this is the basis of ouradvantage, I am quite reluctant to give it up. Of the 2 plays whichretain the prime, I much prefer 21-15. White will be a favorite to hitus but the other checker will be free to play even so (assuming the bothare not hit). This looks like the right play to me.
George Klitsas: 16/10.
Blue's broken blockade is his strong asset and he should not break it for the moment. Remain 21/15 (second - best but still better than any move that breaks the prime) and 16/10, which is my choice. White will attack, even hitting loose, but Blue will be playing essentially with only one man back and he has good chances to escape.
Rob Maier: 21/15.
No reason to break our prime. Bringing the second checker out is the best chance to bring them home without cracking.
Snowie: 21/15.
Everybody up and everybody out! I'm not going to break by blockade, andI'm not going to get stuck behind White's four-prime if I can help it. Lethim hit me if he can -- maybe he will miss.
Bob Stringer: 21/15.
The opportunity to run, leaving two blots exposed todirect shots in the outfield, comes up surprisinglyoften. I think a problem like this was discussed onthe Bulletin Board recently. It's one of the firstkind of plays that Snowie taught me to look for. Myidea here is that White is not likely to hit bothblots, in order to hit just one of them he has to giveup his midpoint (while he still has three back), andthere's a decent chance (10 to 26) that White will missaltogether. And if he misses, life becomes much easierfor me. In the meanwhile, I have that broken primeblocking White's back men.
Although running has its risks, I don't like thealternatives. I'd like to play 21/16, but what to dowith the one? 7/6, obviously. That has the attractionof leaving only a single blot and fewer shots than21/15, so that's my second choice, but it stays secondbecause even if White misses, there's still work to bedone. After 21/16 7/6 it isn't going to be easy for meto clear either the 16 or the 9 point, and breaking the7 makes things easier for White.
7/6 7/2* is worth a look, but getting hit really hurts,and again, I'd like to keep that prime while things arein doubt and White has three men back. 7/2*/1, burying4 men, is despicable. 16/10 has surface appeal, but ifWhite doesn't hit on the 10, he'll hit loose on the 21if he can -- another inducement for getting that backman outta there. Finally, 21/16 9/8 gives up too muchof the blockade.
In short, I think that running is the play to look forin this kind of position, and given the lack of astrong alternative, it's the best here. I don't knowthat it's significantly stronger than anything else,but it feels that way.
Casper Van Der Tak: 7/6, 7/2*.
Blue is far ahead in the race, and has to bring this position home. Several plays have merit: 21/15; 16/10; 7/2* 2/1 and 7/6 7/2*. First to go is 7/2* 7/1: too ugly - Blue is already stripped, and burning another checker does not help. Second to go is 21/15, too many shots. 16/10 is very plausible, but I am afraid of sequences in which White hits lose and Blue does not hit back - White builds a quick prime, and Blue is completely stripped. And the back checker would be come isolated.
My final choice: 7/6 7/2*. The strategy is to immobilize White on the bar, and use that opportunity to run the checkers around the board. Sounds plausible to me.
Kit Woolsey: 21/15.
I'm not willing to give up any part of my blockade, and I can't afford tostay back on the 21 point and be pounded on. White may hit one of my checkers,but he is unlikely to be able to hit both of them. The other checker willgive me the necessary freedom to maneuver a bit and hold my blockade. Andif White happens to miss the double shot I am in great shape.
Chris Yep: 21/15.
Blue's front position is a bit fragile -- he has a completely dead checker on his ace point and is just barely hanging onto his broken 5-prime. If White rolls well, Blue is in danger of getting stuck behind White's 4-prime. White will definitely hit loose on the 4 point in order to extend his prime. Blue's best way to defend against this tactic is probably to keep his broken 5-prime. Here it appears that the best defense is a good offense. I believe that Blue should not touch his prime. This leaves two choices: 16/10, safetying one checker, or 21/15, getting both checkers into the outfield. I believe Blue should play 21/15. 16/10 safeties one checker completely but strands the other one. After 21/15 there are two primary scenarios to consider. If White misses both blots Blue is a big favorite to safety both checkers (not necessarily on the first roll, sometimes on the second roll). If White hits only one checker, Blue not only has return shots from the bar, but also is a big favorite to safety the other outfield blot. So after 21/15 most of the time Blue safeties at least one checker and he's more likely to immediately safety both checkers. So overall 21/15 looks to be superior to 16/10.
Summary: The panel's clear direction was to hold the fort and get over the prime.This is very consistent with Blue's position. Getting stuck behind White'sblockade is not a good idea.
Play Votes Score21/15 6 10016/10 2 707/6, 7/2* 1 6021/16, 9/8 0 4021/16, 7/6 0 407/2*, 2/1 0 40
Problem 2
| 155 173 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: B/24, 6/1*.
Just because Blue missed a triple shot doesn't mean he can't hit! 6/1*prevents White from consolidating. Anything else gives White too much freedomto hit, build, run, block, or some combination of these. If ever therewas a problem to illustrate hitting for tempo, this is it.
Steve Clark: B/20, 6/5.
It is a rule of thumb that slotting the 5 point might be right if youropponent has good 4's elsewhere. Is that the situation here? I amnot so sure. 17-21 sure looks useful but White has other useful ways tomake his 4 point. The alternative plays here are look like drek, themost likely one bing b-24, 18-13. Nothing else looks at all appealin soI will go with the big blot play, b-20, 6-5.
George Klitsas: B/20, 24/23.
Blue will be 12 pips behind after playing his roll, a fact that makes B/24 13/8, which retains contact (but risks further loss of ground), preferable to B/24 18/13, which cedes outfield control. I don't think, tho, that B/24 13/8 is the best move here, not the panic hit of 6/1*. Very interesting is the expert (!?) play B/20 6/5, duplicating 4's, a play that I could try on a certain mood, still I estimate that Blue in all probability won't be given the chance to cover and make his five point eventually. I slightly prefer B/20 24/23 over B/20 6/5, a play that puts immediate pressure to White, duplicates fours as well and prepares to make the better two-point instead of the ace-point in case of being hit on the five point.
Rob Maier: Bar/24, 6/1*.
Hitting lessens the chance that White gets to make their 4 point, and if they do make it, leaves us with the chance to make the defensive bar.
Snowie: B/24, 18/13.
Sometimes simple is best. There is no need to panic here. White hasn't madehis four point yet, and even if he does so I'm not at a great disadvantage.Getting everybody safe for now puts me in a better position to developand contain White's remaining back checker. If I try to complicate the issue,it is likely to backfire.
Bob Stringer: B/24, 6/1*.
I'd rather split my back men, but after B/20 6/5 thereare too many blots. There are still too many evenafter B/20 24/23. Both play just seem to give Whitetoo free a hand. B/24 13/8 and B/24 18/13 are safe buttoo passive. That leaves B/24 6/1*. Too bad Whitestill has a good 6 to play, but hitting at leastreduces the number of his options.
Casper Van Der Tak: B/24, 13/8.
Bit passive, but seems best to me. Hitting on the ace eliminates some covers for the four point and takes away some hit and covers, but the cost of throwing away a checker seems too high. B/24 18/13 is too passive, and makes it too easy for White to consolidate the position (14/save, cover), with a large advantage. These two B/24 alternatives were easy to throw out.
B/20 6/5: Do not slot while split. Well, this is quite a more splitted position� In favor of the play, it involves some duplication, and it promotes a blot hitting contest which would help Blue as the side with less checkers back. However, I see too many wipe out sequences.
B/20 24/23: This goes after a better anchor without slotting. I do not like the combination of having a lot of numbers duplicated: 2�s to hit on the 21 and 11 points, plus (if hit on the 18 or 20) 2�s to make an achor, and (after getting hit on the 18), 5�s to make an advanced anchor and hit back.
B/24 13/8 is a solid play, keeping an achor to protect against wipe out sequences, tries to establish an advanced anchor. If White hits and covers, Blue will try again for an advanced anchor or hit back if possible. Bit simplistic, but that is what I would do.
Kit Woolsey: B/24, 6/1*.
Long experience has shown that when an opponent has slotted a key pointand you miss the shot at the blot, it is very valuable to divert him in orderto make it more difficult for him to cover the blot. This principle seemsto apply here. By hitting loose on the ace point I cut down on Blue'scover numbers -- in particular, all sixes don't cover. It is worth scrificingthe checker on the ace point in order to gain this tactical advantage.
Chris Yep: B/20, 6/5.
In my opinion this is the most interesting problem of the set. Basically Blue has two approaches. He can play passively (b/24) and try for some type of holding game. Alternatively, he can aggressively slot the 20 point (b/20 24/23 or b/20 6/5). Since Blue is behind in the race, has more back men, and since White has an inner board blot, it looks like Blue should play boldly with b/20. With the ace, perhaps I'm going out on a limb, but I would try 6/5. The duplication of 2s (if White hits on his bar point he will then need 2s to hit again, but he will also need 2s to cover his 4 point blot) and 4s (he will have to choose between 24/20* and 8/4) is significant. Although it leaves Blue vulnerable, it also slots both 5 points. Slotting both 5 points is often a reasonable move, especially when the alternatives aren't very appealing. For example, even on the opening roll 24/20 6/5 is only wrong by a small amount and only because 24/23 13/9 is reasonably constructive. In this position, Blue's alternative, anchoring on the ace point, is not very appealing. Compared to the opening position Blue's position is more desperate. He has more to gain than he has to lose by an exchange of hits. Thus I prefer the aggressive b/20 6/5.
Summary: The panel went for the action play on a very awkward early gameproblem. It seems reasonable with White having the blot on the four point.When you can't do something good, at least try to make life difficult foryour opponent.
Play Votes ScoreB/24, 6/1* 4 100B/20, 6/5 2 80B/20, 24/23 1 60B/24, 18/13 1 60B/24, 13/8 1 60
Problem 3
| 129 144 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 13/7.
Is this fresh from Alex Zamanian's article in the March issue? Splittingis just asking to get pointed upon. Unlike problem 2, hitting loosedoesn't gain much. What will Blue do for an encore? Behind in the raceand holding an anchor, slotting the barpoint looks right to me. White isstill ahead in a prime vs. prime, but what other road to victory is worthpaving?
Steve Clark: 13/7.
I know that both sides have made an equal number of inner board points.Even so, I am unenthusiastic about 24-18. It just seems like White willhave too many good rolls. Nor am I enthusiastic about hitting on theace point. This could be the right play, but we are short of coveringcheckers even when we are missed. 13-7 is not a play to be madelightly. If we get hit, we will be in a deep hole. Even so itcertainly looks attractive. It has a big turnaround potential notavailable in the alternatives. This is the type of play to make whenyou need a lucky break. This is the case here so I will play 13-7.
George Klitsas: 13/7.
Any move that breaks the 24 point risks a quick gammon. Thinking in cube-terms such a move is also inadvisable, since it makes impossible for Blue the re-cube when his two blots are scooped up and closed out - Blue makes the most of his (re)cube value by retaining the anchor and the option of the ace-point game. From the other moves, 6/1* 5/4 lacks ammunition for the encore and 13/8 5/4 is very quiet The move that forces things is definitely 13/7! Most sixes are very good rolls for White anyway and if Blue is not hit and makes his bar-point he might even win the timing battle, since he is behind in the race. If hit, Blue will substantially improve his timing for an ace-point game, in which case he will have a decent chance to recube in many sequences. Needless to say, 13/7 is my choice.
Rob Maier: 24/18.
Come out and smell the coffee. Seriously, hanging back on the ace anchor tends not to be the answer. Spliting isn't enough. Put some real pressure on while it is still relatively safe.
Snowie: 24/23, 6/1*.
Look at that army of builders poised to make the bar point or the threepoint and pin me back on the ace point. Am I going to let White do thisto me unmolested? No way! It is essential for me to disrupt his floweven if it means putting a checker temporarily out of play. I must dosomething good with my back men soon or I will die a slow death. Thepriming battle is sure to go against me.
Bob Stringer: 24/23, 6/1*.
White's better timing makes me want to split my backmen. But with White's offense looking good, that's aninvitation to disaster. Therefore, I accompany thesplit with 6/1*, giving White a chance to dance, and inany case taking one of the dice away from his outsidecheckers. 24/18 simply asks to be hit on a point thatWhite wants to make for his 5 prime, and 13/7 givesWhite virtually a won game if the blot is hit. Otherplays look like they're just marking time while I stillhave to escape. I therefore pick the play which seemsbest designed to make that escape possible.
Casper Van Der Tak: 24/23, 13/8.
Don't know. This puts some pressure on White's outfield, and gives some opportunities to escape. Seems to balance the risks of getting pointed on. I do not like 24/18 and 13/7. 13/8 5/4 is too passive for my taste. 24/23 6/1* addresses the fact that Blue does not want to play a priming game with two back against one, but is too loose for my taste.
Kit Woolsey: 24/23, 6/1*.
Once again, a tempo play is vital. White has a strong position which isthreatening to get stronger, and Blue must do something about it. Theonly area where Blue is on equal terms is inner board strength, so itmust be right to hit loose and split the back checker. Perhaps White willflunk, and at least White won't be able to make any more new points nextroll without rolling doubles. Then maybe something good will happen. IfBlue goes passive White has a ton of numbers which improve his boardeven further.
Chris Yep: 24/23, 6/1*.
White has better timing in the priming game, thus it's important for Blue to split his back checkers to try to either escape or make a better anchor (24/18 is too risky since it splits into a triple shot; in addition White can use 4s and 5s to hit loose on the ace point). I like 24/23. With the 5, hitting looks best. Not only does it protect Blue's back men but also the attack itself is reasonably strong since Blue's board is as strong as White's and White can't form an anchor.
Summary: In a close vote, the loose hit on the ace point won out overslotting the bar point. I must admit that slotting the bar point herewould never have occurred to me. It is a disaster if the blot is hit,and Blue isn't in particularly great shape in the priming battle anyway.
Play Votes Score24/23, 6/1* 4 10013/7 3 9024/18 1 6024/23, 13/8 1 6013/8, 5/4 0 406/1*, 5/4 0 40
Problem 4
| 101 94 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 8/6, 3/2.
White's prime must be respected -- 3/2. After that, though, Blue shouldlook for some diversity, even if it means giving White a joker. 8/6 looksnatural because it breaks a point 6-away from another (2-point) and bringsa builder where it's needed most (6-point). The 7-point remains to blockthe acepoint, the 9-point to block the 3-point, and the spares arecomfortably distrubuted for building the 3-point.
Steve Clark: 11/9, 3/2.
11-8 is too loose for me and there is no point in breaking a 6 pointprime in order to give our opponent a chance so I was looking at howugly 3-2, 11-9 is. The I notice 3-1, 2-1 and saw how much prettierthat is. It keeps better checker distribution and holds our prime.Unfortunately I don't think it is the right play. With a double gap wewill have a much more difficult time keeping our prime. Furthermore, weare likely tohave awkward plays in the near future. 3-2, 11-9 mightappear to be less flexible but I think that is a chimera. We we havefew bad rolls in the near future and a much better chance of rebuildingour prime. I will play that.
George Klitsas: 11/9, 3/2.
Blue must lift the blots (3/2). The danger of losing the prime vs prime battle is simply too great to risk the double slot. After 3/2 should Blue risk the indirect shot (the best move from this group is 8/6, giving White the joker 3-5 from the bar) in order to facilitate his future plays? A very interesting question. I think it's close anyway and I will go for the safe 11/9 3/2. Blue is a favorite to win the race even if he does not close out White's checker.
Rob Maier: 11/8.
I'm not gonna think about When I get hit, I don't get stuck that often, and sometimes I pick up checker 2, checker 3, etc.
Snowie: 3/1, 2/1.
We have this game won. Why take any unnecessary chances? We are going tohave to make the ace point eventually anyway. There should be littledifficulty bringing the position home safely. We might not be able toroll the prime forward, but we don't need to do that. Our position willbe flexible enough for safe play. If the gammon comes the gammon comes,but we don't have to go out of our way to get it.
Bob Stringer: 3/1, 2/1.
White has a strong board, and my position could crumbleif I'm hit, enter on White's ace point and then sitthere. Shifting checkers around is not good because itbreaks the prime. So the question comes down to makingthe 2 or the 1 point. I choose the latter, because inorder to keep my prime, I have to play 11/9 with the 2,which could make a 6 on my next roll rather awkward.
Casper Van Der Tak: 8/6, 3/2.
I do not want to get hit here and lose the priming battle. Hence 3/2. I like to make the 3 point next turn, so I like 8/6 which seems to give nice building potential at the cost of 2 hitting numbers. Hence 8/6 3/2.
Kit Woolsey: 8/6, 3/2.
Holding the prime isn't right. If White enters with a hit, White will havea good chance to win the priming battle. Blue needs to cover up in hisinner board. 8/6, 3/2 puts a valuable spare on the six point and givesBlue good diversification at the cost of a single 17 to 1 shot. Once Bluehas made his two point, losing the eight point is not so bad. The nine pointguards the three point, which is more important.
Chris Yep: 11/9, 3/2.
I like the simple 11/9 3/2. It keeps the 6-prime and leaves no shots (3/1 2/1 is also possible, but it leaves a big gap). Even though Blue has a 6-prime he still doesn't want to get hit (White has fairly reasonable chances of trapping him behind a prime) since he will then have less than 10 spare pips to play with on his side of the board before having to break his prime. So leaving direct shots looks wrong even when Blue can keep his 6-prime. What about leaving a few indirect shots in order to create another builder for the 3 point? The general rule is that Blue should not volunteer any shots unless there is a significant gain in flexibility and/or builders. That does not seem to be the case here, so I don't think that Blue should volunteer even 2 shot numbers. I believe it's correct to play completely safe.
Summary: A very tricky priming problem. The general concensus was tomake the two point and go from there. Things could get sticky whatever playis made.
Play Votes Score11/9, 3/2 3 1008/6, 3/2 3 903/1, 2/1 2 8011/8 1 709/7, 3/2 1 407/5, 3/2 1 404/3, 4/2 1 40
Problem 5
| 150 177 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 22/16, 21/9*, 8/2.
This roll has put Blue back into the race. Hitting on the 9-point putsBlue into the race lead. Covering the deucepoint trys to maintain that lead.This play seems too simple for a quiz problem. If this were some supercontest I'd be tempted to second-guess and choose another, more complicatedplay like 21/9*(2). The 9-point is a solid asset and the anchor can beremade with an ace. As it is, I'm going to go with the play I would makeover-the-table.
Steve Clark: 22/16, 21/9*, 8/2.
I want to escape and make points and hit something. 22-16, 21-9, 8-2seems to do it all. Is there any alternative that seems to come closeto accomplishing all this? I could escape three men with 21-15(3) butthe last play just leaves a very loose position with no racing lead.21-9(2) is closer. This builds important parts of a prime but otherwiseis also very loose. I will stick with what appealed to the eyeinitially. 22-16, 21-9, 8-2.
George Klitsas: 21/15(3), 8/2.
With this roll (6-6), Blue almost equalizes the race, so he has no reason at all to stay back, behind White's prime. This is a golden opportunity to move his three checkers from the 21 point [21/15(3)]. Blue's checker on the 22 point is not of much danger at the moment, so the fourth six should be played covering the two point and awaiting the unfolding of the game (15/9* is awful in my opinion). My full solution is 21/15(3) 8/2.
Rob Maier: 22/16, 21/9*, 8/2.
Hit, cover, get out, duplicate, and keep the anchor in case of accidents.
Snowie: 21/15(3), 8/2.
This roll just about catches me up in the race, so there is no need tostay back in White's board. I need as much outfield presence as I can get,since otherwise my plays will be awkward. Hitting the blot on my ninepoint really doesn't gain me all that much. After my play it will be up toWhite to get his checkers safe. The spare on the 15 point will allow meto handle awkward rolls, and making the two point prepares me for latercombat.
Bob Stringer: 21/15(3), 8/2.
I don't like leaving that checker on the 22 point, but after this roll the race is roughly even, and threecheckers on the 15 point give me a bit of an offenseand more flexibility than I have at present. Becauseof White's 4 point prime, I'm wary of plays that leaveblots lying around. 22/16 21/9* 8/2 isn't too bad, andI'd place it second, but even that makes me hold mybreath.
Casper Van Der Tak: 21/9(2)*.
Escape from behind the prime, builds a block, gains in the race, sends an opponents checker back. Second choice 22/16 21/9* 8/2, but hey, I like to actually have the 9 point.
Kit Woolsey: 22/16, 21/9*, 8/2.
My play springs two back checkers, hits a key blot, and covers the bloton the two point. None of the alternatives appear to accomplish as manygood things at once.
Chris Yep: 22/16, 21/9*, 8/2.
White's 20 point anchor leaves one thing clear: Blue can't expect to win a priming game. He'll need to win some kind of racing or holding game. With this in mind, making his inner board points in order isn't so important. Blue should just make the 2 point if he can do so conveniently. I believe Blue should play 22/16 21/9* 8/2. This move accomplishes just about everything that Blue could want. It hits, taking away half of White's roll, reducing White's outfield presence, and gaining 9 pips. It makes a new inner board point. Finally it fights for the outfield. No other move accomplishes all these things. Note that coming out to the 16 point is relatively safe since White's midpoint is stripped. Also the blot on the 9 point is relatively safe since White will have to break his anchor if he wishes to hit.
Summary: How bad can a play which does three good things be? That'sthe way the majority of the panel felt. Sure seems reasonable.
Play Votes Score22/16, 21/9*, 8/2 5 10021/15(3), 8/2 3 8021/9(2)* 1 6022/4, 8/2 0 4022/16, 21/15(3) 0 4021/15(2), 21/9* 0 40
Problem 6
| 144 149 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 23/22, 15/9.
15/9 not only brings a cover for the 3-point into position, but removesmany of White's hitting numbers. 23/22 puts that checker in positionto jump the prime with a 6. Blue is still pretty wide open but I thinkhe needs to keep all his checkers working. 3/2 may be safer but I don'tsee the subsequent awkward position leading to a winning gameplan.
Steve Clark: 23/22, 15/9.
When I look at positions like this, I try to find some coherent conceptof what to accomplish. First since we have to leave a lot a blots, itcan be advantageous to reduce our opponent's diversification. Othersteps to be taken is to escape or prepare to escape and to put buildersin useful spots. Of all the seemingly random plays available, 11-5,23-22 and 15-9, 23-22 seem to accomplish the most in this regard. Withthis play we cut down White's really good rolls.. We bring a checker upto the 22 point where it can escape directly. And we get a usefulbuilder toward our blot on the 3 point.
As in problem 5 it is very difficult to evaluate the other possibleplays. One or more of them might be strong but I am unable to discernany particular principles which would argue in their favor. Nor, forthat matter do I see a lot to choose between the two plays I favor. Iwill play 15-9, 23-22 because it seems to cut down on White's immediategood rolls.
George Klitsas: 13/6.
Blue must leave the slot where it is, in the first place. One can't imagine how he should be able to bring his disjoint position home without a strong inner board. Other than that, a good idea is to lift an external blot, reducing their number. The best move is 13/6 in my opinion.
Rob Maier: 23/22, 15/9.
How did this mess arise? 23/22 seems like a reasonable ace, and 15/9 cleans up a little, and adds a new builder. Good enough.
Snowie: 21/15, 3/2.
Why risk getting hit and losing all that ground in what is essentiallyan even race. I have enough blots to worry about -- leaving the threepoint slotted could prove to be fatal. Right now I need to take advantageof the respite with White on the bar to clean up my act and prepare to moveforward. I don't have the necessary builders to cover the blot on thethree point anyway. It is better to lift it now and put the checker intoplay later in the game.
Bob Stringer: 13/6.
This problem felt like it was the toughest one. Somany different things can happen that only one thing isfor certain -- I'm not giving up the anchor. For amoment of insanity, I thought I'd pick 23/16, carryingthe running theme of problem number 1 to greatextremes, but when so many blots are strewn around, toomany bad things can happen -- and usually do. I haveto try to get something out of this ugly roll, and sowhat I'm going to get out of it is a spare checker onthe 6 point, while reducing the number of my blots byone.
Casper Van Der Tak: 21/15, 3/2.
Clueless. Anything could be right or double whopper. My choice is motivated by the fact that I do not like being behind the prime, so get one away from there, and then minimize chances that another checker gets send back, hence 21/15 3/2. It would be nice to make the 3 point, but it is not needed to win. Even if White dances and Blue would make the 3-point, he is not likely to keep White on the Bar long enough to extract and bring around all checkers.
In contrast, getting hit on the three (and somewhere else, most of the threes are double hits) would be a complete disaster. Just escape from behind the prime and Blue should have reasonable chances owning the cube.
Kit Woolsey: 23/22, 21/15.
Outfield control is the name of the game. It is vital for Blue to establisha point in the outfield and extricate his back checkers from behind White's blockade.White is left with plenty of shots, but Blue does have the stronger innerboard so he can survive a blot-hitting contest. What Blue can't survive isgetting stuck behind a prime.
Chris Yep: 23/22, 21/15.
With White having two outfield points and Blue having two vulnerable blots in the outfield, contesting the outfield looks very important for Blue. By playing 21/15 (or 23/16), Blue not only puts pressure on White's outfield points but also protects his own outfield blots; if White hits in the outfield, Blue will have return shots from the bar. I strongly believe that Blue should fight for the outfield in this position. 23/16 looks too loose, especially considering that it doesn't actually make any new outfield points. 21/15 looks best. It gives up the advanced anchor, but usually this can be remade later; note that while White might consider hitting loose on his 4 point with 1s and 4s these are duplicated since he also needs 1s and 4s to enter from the bar. With the ace, Blue has two choices. While it's somewhat loose (5 blots), I believe Blue should leave the 3 point slotted and instead play 23/22 with the ace. Putting a 3rd checker on the 2 point is ugly; Blue is significantly less likely to make a strong board/prime after 3/2. Since Blue has more back men and a stronger board it's thematically correct to leave the 3 point slotted.
Summary: In a tight four-horse race, bringing the builder to thenine point was the winner. The four vote-getters involve such differentthemes that it is not at all clear what the panel is saying. Perhaps thisproblem is just too difficult.
Play Votes Score23/22, 15/9 3 10023/22, 21/15 2 8021/15, 3/2 2 8013/6 2 8023/16 0 4023/22, 11/5 0 4015/8 0 4013/7, 8/7 0 40
Problem 7
| 158 196 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: B/23, 8/7(2).
As much as I'd like to continue the blot hitting contest, I don't thinksacrificing the last spare on the 6-point is worth it. Making a pointon the homeside looks like a lasting asset. And three checkers on the24-point is seldom wise, so 24/23 is my final ace.
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.
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 40B/24, 8/5* 0 40
Problem 8
| 162 140 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 15/8.
Ahead in the race and behind in anchors calls for a safe play. I seeno reason to force things by trying to hit loose on the 5-point, givingWhite 18 return shots. Even if White makes Blue's 5-point he's stillbehind and Blue will have running and pointing chances next turn.Making the barpoint appears to duplicate 3's, but White should hitwithout hesitation. The patient 15/8 leaves Blue with enoughdiversification to make positive progress next turn with little risknow.
Steve Clark: 13/7, 8/7.
I wish I had a clue. I would not play 24-18. That seems to be thewrong idea. Unfortunately there are 3 other distinct plays here and Iam quite uncertain which is best. If we were behind in the race, Iwould be happy to hit. Since we are significantly ahead here, I willeliminate 15-9, 6-5 without any confidence that this is right.
Supersafe 15-8 could also be the best play, but I will go with makingthe bar point. In general it is right to leave a blot in youropponent's outer board if the alternative is making the bar point.Since we are significantly ahead in the race, there is less argumentthan usual for taking this risk. Even so I will do it because we willcreate very significant duplication of opponent's 3's. Often there isless value to duplication than meets the eye, but I will let it swingthe balance here.
George Klitsas: 13/7, 8/7.
Interesting is the pure 15/9 6/5* , but more than half the rolls hit back. I'll go for the quieter 13/7 8/7, which leaves a solid position, duplicating threes for my opponent. Still, the two plays are close in my opinion.
Rob Maier: 13/7, 8/7.
The bar is always nice. The duplication of threes is pretty severe.
Snowie: 15/8.
If I've said it once, I've said it 100 times -- when ahead in the race, race.I am way ahead in the race, so I do not want to complicate the issut bygetting involved in a blot-hitting contest. The simple 15/8 leaves me witha fine position. My back checker will escape when the time comes, and inthe meantime my distribution is decent for further improvement.
Bob Stringer: 15/9, 6/5*.
This roll can't be played safely unless I want a really loathsome structure. If I'm going to leave a blot, itwill be where it does two good things -- makes itpossible to grab my five point, while preventing Whitefrom making it on his next roll.
Casper Van Der Tak: 15/8.
Who cubed this and when??? And why??? I would play simple checkers here, ahead in the race and less men back, no need for complications. Just hop the last checker, safety it, and bring it home. This is a quieter approach than I would like considering the fact that I do not have cube access, but nothing better seems available.
Kit Woolsey: 15/9, 6/5*.
The bar point would be nice, but White is threatening too much. The loosehit unstacks the heavy six point, puts White on the bar, and gives Blue agood chance to win the fight for the five point. If Blue can win that fight,he will have a very strong position.
Chris Yep: 15/9, 6/5*.
Blue has two different approaches. He can play quietly (15/8 or 13/7 8/7) or he can fight for his 5 point. Of the moves which fight for the 5 point, 15/9 6/5* looks better. By playing 15/9 Blue escapes a back man and provides another builder for the 5 point. The checker on the 24 point is safe for now. Leaving checkers on the 18 and 15 points just gives White targets to hit from the bar (in particular it gives White a good 6 from the bar). It's thematic to play quietly when ahead in the race and with fewer men back. Here however it seems too passive. If Blue plays 15/8, White has his whole roll to build or make the strong 20 point anchor. If Blue instead plays 13/7 8/7 he makes the bar point and duplicates White's 3s, but still gives White 16 hitting numbers (almost as many as if he had played 15/9 6/5*). In addition when White hits, he simultaneously brings down another builder into his outfield. The quiet moves are solid, but I prefer 15/9 6/5* which takes away half of White's roll, unstacks the heavy 6 point, and fights for the important 5 point.
Summary: A truly great problem. Three plays tie for the first placevote, and each play is thematically very different from the others. It wouldn'tsurprise me at all if one of the plays were substantially better or worse thanthe others, but which one?
Play Votes Score15/9, 6/5* 3 10015/8 3 9013/7, 8/7 3 9024/18, 6/5* 0 40
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Chuck Bower 16/10 B/24, 6/1* 13/7 8/6, 3/2 22/16, 21/9*, 8/2 23/22, 15/9 B/23, 8/7(2) 15/8Steve Clark 21/15 B/20, 6/5 13/7 11/9, 3/2 22/16, 21/9*, 8/2 23/22, 15/9 B/24, 6/5*, 5/3* 13/7, 8/7George Klitsas 16/10 B/20, 24/23 13/7 11/9, 3/2 21/15(3), 8/2 13/6 B/21 13/7, 8/7Rob Maier 21/15 B/24 6/1* 24/18 11/8 22/16, 21/9*, 8/2 23/22, 15/9 B/23, 8/7(2) 13/7, 8/7Snowie 21/15 B/24, 18/13 24/23, 6/1* 3/1, 2/1 21/15(3), 8/2 21/15, 3/2 B/24, 6/5*, 5/3* 15/8Bob Stringer 21/15 B/24, 6/1* 24/23, 6/1* 3/1, 2/1 21/15(3), 8/2 13/6 B/21 15/9, 6/5*Casper Van Der Tak 7/6, 7/2* B/24, 13/8 24/23, 13/8 8/6, 3/2 21/9(2)* 21/15, 3/2 B/21 15/8Kit Woolsey 21/15 B/24, 6/1* 24/23, 6/1* 8/6, 3/2 22/16, 21/9*, 8/2 23/22, 21/15 B/24, 8/7(2), 6/5* 15/9, 6/5*Chris Yep 21/15 B/20, 6/5 24/23, 6/1* 11/9, 3/2 22/16, 21/9*, 8/2 23/22, 21/15 B/21 15/9, 6/5*
