| 146 171 |                         | White money game Blue |
Problem #5 Play Votes Score8/4, 6/4 4 10024/18 3 9023/21, 13/9* 3 9018/16, 13/9* 0 4013/9*, 9/7 0 4013/11, 13/9* 0 40
George Klitsas: 24/18.
Again, with the cube in the center, I would probably choose a different move (like making my 4 point or hitting on the 9 point. Having cube possession, I think that first of all, I must secure the advanced anchor (24/18), giving myself many opportunities to use it efficiently in the future. After securing the advanced anchor, the probabilities are that White's extended position will produce some shots for me in the future.
Laila Leonhardt: 24/18.
Time to make sure you stay in the game. White has graciously given you the ownership of the cube and now you can lean back and make ready for the kill. You don't want to battle White for control at this point where he obviously has much more potential ofgetting you in real trouble. An advanced bar point anchor keeps you in contact with White and out of danger for a long time and you can then proceed in making your board and wait for the shot to arrive at a better time.
Mary Lee Pinkney: 8/4, 6/4.
Since White has an additional inner board point and an inflexible board position, I think it is best to make another inner board point with 8/4, 6/4, to keep the inner boards equal in strength.
I don't feel that I need to anchor this roll, or attack White's blot on the nine point because White's inner board is stronger than mine.
Snowie: 8/4, 6/4.
White has the stronger inner board and I am still behind in the raceeven if I hit, so hitting isn't attractive -- it leaves too many blots.I could just anchor on the 18 point, but that commits me to a somewhatinferior bar point holding game with no board. My position needs someteeth befor I can get anything going, and that means building up myinner board. I have rolled a good number to do so, and I should takeadvantage of it. My back men are fine where they are. If White hitsa blot, I will have several return shots.
Marty Storer: 23/21, 13/9*.
Way behind in the race, Blue should probably try to muddy theracing waters. He doesn't want to give White a free shot toclear and simplify. If Blue is hit back, the slots for the 18and 21 points are useful. The main alternative 24/18 seems toosmall. 13/9* 18/16, abandoning all slots for an advanced anchor,is also a bit small for my taste.
Bob Stringer: 23/21, 13/9*.
Must hit to reduce the gap in the race and keep the game fluid.24/18 is nice to make a good point, but I think it commits me toomuch to a defensive game. 13/9*, 9/7 never entered my mind until Isaw it on the list, and, in line with my usual approach in thesequizes, I won't select it unless I think it's definitely betterthan all else -- and I don't think that. I suppose one idea behindit is that it's safer to leave the checker on the 23 point, but Ilike my play's added coverage of White's outfield. 13/11, 13/9leaves too many blots, and 18/16, 13/9* looks too spread out.
Casper van der Tak: 8/4, 6/4.
Blue can hit in various ways, make the bar anchor, or make the 4-point. I do not like the hit - it leaves a ton of returns, and does not gain all that much in the race. And White has the stronger board. I think Blue needs some concrete assets, and would play either 24/18 or 8/4 6/4. Which of the two? I went back and forth on this. My first inclination was to make the bar anchor, but now I think that Blue can afford to play without an anchor. Making the 4-point gives some "punch" to the Blue position, so that any hits will be stronger than they are now.
Kit Woolsey: 23/21, 13/9*.
I believe I am too far behind in the race to pass up this hit, particularlysince it doesn't leave direct shots and White has only a two-point board.In addition, I get a chance to go after a better anchor in White'sboard. I leave several returns, but at least the sixes are duplicated.
Chris Yep: 8/4, 6/4.
Similar issues to consider as in problem 3. White has a stronger board, which argues for 24/18. On the other hand, Blue welcomes contact since he has more men back and White has an outfield blot to safety. Furthermore, if White hits loose on his bar point, Blue has more returns from the bar than usual since his back men are split. I believe this is enough to swing Blue's decision to a more offensive play. The hitting plays are generally fine, but too loose in my opinion. Blue has a limited number of checkers up front, so I think he does better by using them efficiently with 8/4 6/4 and awaiting developments.
Summary: A close race between three entirely different types of plays --hitting, anchoring, or pointing. Which has the #1 priority here? Far fromclear.