| 176 158 |                          | White money game Blue |
Problem #5 Play Votes ScoreB/21, 7/3*, 6/2(2)* 9 100B/21, 7/3(2)*, 6/2* 3 70B/21, 13/5*, 5/1* 1 60B/21, 13/9(3) 0 40B/21, 13/5*, 6/2* 0 40B/21, 13/9(2), 6/2* 0 40B/21, 13/9, 7/3(2)* 0 40 B/21, 13/9, 6/2(2)* 0 40
Nigel Alsop: B/21, 7/3*, 6/2(2)*.
Just got to put two men in the air and stop White making either Blue's 5pt or his bar or both. I think the best way of doing this, B21, 7/3*, 6/2(2)*
John Bakovic: B/21, 7/3(2)*, 6/2*.
Great roll!! Time to attack. Only choice here is making the 2 or 3 point and hitting loose on whichever point you don't make. I prefer to make the points in order if possible so I make the three and hit loose on the 2. With out some good return rolls from White he make end up with 5 checkers on the roof with black scoring up a BG.
Chuck Bower: B/21, 7/3*, 6/2(2)*.
As was the case in problem 1, White's lack of an anchor gives Bluethe Green light to attack. A general principle of the blitz is: all homeboard points are equal. Admittedly this is a minor overstatement, but only when all other factors are equal should the quality of homeboard points become an issue. Here making the 2-point and leaving a single on the 3-point leaves a much better distribution of hitter/builders than making the 3- and leaving a single on the 2-point.
Steve Clark: B/21, 7/3*, 6/2(2)*.
This problem reminds me of the old AT&T ad which ran, "Reach out and touchsomeone." We can't build a very good prime with our double 4's. The onlyalternative is to to hit a couple of checkers. We should be hitting both onthe 2 and on the 3 point, but it is not clear which point we should coverwith our 4th four. Making the 2 point provides better distribution of ourcheckers while making the 3 point makes the more valuable point. If thetruth is to be told, I do not see a big equity swing between the two plays.I think I will make the 2 point.
George Klitsas: B/21, 13/5*, 5/1*.
I vote for the tempo-hitting play B/21 13/5*/1* , denying White his base on my five point and trying to get rid of his other base - his checker on his bar point, while he will be busy entering his checkers from the bar. Another interesting and more positional idea is B/21 13/5* 6/2* with similar reasoning.
Rob Maier: B/21, 7/3*(2), 6/2*.
How typical, I clearly called for double-threes. No matter, White is soon to be entrenched on my ace point with three spares, not all of which will arrive right away. The most flexible blitz is probably making the two point and hitting loose on the three point, but just in case my evil plans go astray, making the three point and hitting less on the two will be is probably a little better.
Snowie: B/21, 7/3*, 6/2(2)*.
Have to use this great roll to attack -- priming doesn't make any sense.I choose to make the two point because this unstacks the heavy six pointand keeps a valuable builder on the bar point for future attack purposes.
Marty Storer: B/21, 7/3*, 6/2(2)*.
This is a golden opportunity to attack. It hasto be right to make an inner point and hit a second checker. The 2 pointisn't as valuable as the 3 point, but making it and hitting loose on the3 leaves a far better position of builders should White miss. The bloton the bar point may be a thorn in Blue's side if White hits, but in thatevent Blue can remake his bar with a 6.
Bob Stringer: B/21, 7/3*, 6/2(2)*.
Attack and put White on the ropes. I definitely like hitting twice,since it minimizes White's chance of making the 5 point. Of the playsthat hit twice, I like mine the best because of the way it spreads thecheckers around, but if someone insisted on 13/5*, 5/1*, I'd listen,since it rules out White's making the 5 for now. However, I do preferunstacking the 6 to make a point. If I didn't hit twice, I'd go forB/21, 13/9, 6/2(2)*. The 2 point doesn't go well with 8 point, but my6 point badly needs to get unstacked.
Casper van der Tak: B/21, 7/3*, 6/2(2)*.
I want to hit 2 checkers with this joker, and I want to build an inside point. Only two play do that: B/21 7/3* 6/2(2)* and B/21 7/3(2)* 6/2*. The first leaves a better builder distribution and more covers, but builds a slightly weaker point. Since priming does not figure prominently as a game plan in this position (blitzing and racing do figure), the better builder distribution is more important than the quality of the points. Hence B/21 7/3* 6/2(2)*. Seems a clear choice.
Kit Woolsey: B/21, 7/3(2)*, 6/2*.
This doesn't look like the time to play positionally. Attacking is a must.The three point is a better point to have than the two point if I am hitback, so I prefer this play to making the two point and hitting loose onthe three point.
Chris Yep: B/21, 7/3*, 6/2(2)*.
I strongly prefer the double-hit plays. As far as blitzes go, Blue only has an "average" number of men in range, but White has 5 vulnerable blots and no offense to fight back with. Furthermore, Blue's first 4 will create an advanced anchor; if Blue's attack fails, Blue can at least fall back into some type of holding game. Thus all the signs point toward a strong blitzing move. Of the double-hit plays, b/21 7/3* 6/2(2) looks best. It makes a 2 point board, leaves only one inner board blot, and leaves Blue with three direct covers (3s, 4s, and 5s) to make a 3 point board next turn. No other move does this much (b/21 7/3(2)* 6/2* comes close; however it only gives Blue two direct covers to make a 3 point board).
Summary: What nine point? The panel unanimously agreed that attackwas the prime ingredient here, and the only question was whether to makethe three point or the two point. That is probably a close call.