140
money game
Blue
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Problem 1
| 148 140 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 10/7*.
One back vs. two gives a slight edge to playing safe. However,hitting the blot often gains considerably in this earlyjockying-for-position kind of situation. Which is right here?Hitting 10/7* is great on White's 4/36 fans but not good at all on the 13/36 return hits. 8/7*/5 leaves fewer returns, butfour blots total and gives up the valuable 8-point. 24/22 isusually uncalled for because it gives opp more and betterloose hits for only a few increased escape rolls. The9 point is a good point to have when opp holds the barpoint-- a reasonable outcome here. IMO the choice is between 10/7*and 9(2). Even though it risks a lot of setbacks, hitting hereis probably right because it is so disruptive. Not only isWhite forced to use one die to enter, he is prevented frommaking the barpoint. I can imagine this type of position ledto the infamous but vague "when in doubt, hit!" axiom.
Neil Kazaross: 10/7*.
10/7x looks clear to me as it only leaves 13 return shots and we havesome nice looking followups on the 23 misses. There's still a game to play here and I don't think this is the time to button up in the outfield and leave White many constructive rolls. Hitting and lifting looks like it belongs in a chamber of horrors.
George Klitsas: 10/7*.
24/22 11/10 looks slightly inferior compared to 11/9 10/9. In general, moving to the 22 or 21 point with the lone back checker is to be avoided and this position does not seem like an exception. Blue must hit on his bar point, for if White makes it he will have the advantage, given that Blue has a strangler back. The unusual 8/7*/5 leaves only a few return shots, but breaks the 8 point. Best of all seems the natural 10/7*. White is not a favorite to hit back from the bar and, even if he does, Blue has the ammo to fight back. If Black eventually makes the four prime, he will be close to having a double in most cases.
Laila Leonhardt: 11/9, 10/9.
Making points in order never seems to fail hopelessly. No matter if White succeeds in making the bar point or not, the 9 point will be of great value through most of this game.
Hannu Lyyjynen: 10/7*.
A hit is a must to prevent White from anchoring at the bar point.
Snowie: 10/7*.
Hitting is a must. I can't let White play with only one man back.Assets are everything. I'm not breaking my eight point. That leaves10/7* as the logical and correct choice.
Marty Storer: 10/7*.
Magriel's safe-vs.-bold criteria point to a safe play, but weakly. First,though White has more checkers back, he has the 18 slotted and if hemakes it he has an edge. Second, Blue's racing lead isn't very big afterhis creeping 21. So the safe plays, 11/9 10/9 and 24/22 11/10, don't standto gain much. Even if White just escapes from his 18 point, Blue's edge isn'tvery big. Therefore I prefer 10/7*, which gains big-time when White missesthe return. If White hits, Blue is still alive, with many return shots thatrenew the chance to make the 7.
Bob Stringer: 10/7*.
I can't see not hitting and giving White a chance to make the barpoint. Just doesn't sit right. I much prefer 10/7* over 8/7*, 7/5,since it keeps the valuable 8 point.
Kit Woolsey: 8/7*, 7/5.
Hitting looks like a must, but I don't like leaving those return sixes whenI am ahead in the race and have only one man back. Having a spare on thefive point can't be all bad. The downside is the loss of the eight point,but this figures to be temporary -- most likely I will either remake itnext turn or use the checker for attacking.
Chris Yep: 10/7*.
Blue is ahead in the race and has only one man back. In spite of this it still feels correct to fight for the bar point. 24/22 11/10 and 11/9 10/9 give White too many good numbers, while 8/7*/5 loses the important 8 point.
Summary: The natural play of hitting and keeping the structureintact won out handily. The return shots are there, but the playworks very well if the return shots are missed. I can easily be convinced.
Play Votes Score10/7* 8 10011/9, 10/9 1 608/7*, 7/5 1 6024/22, 11/10 0 40
Problem 2
| 167 130 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 13/9, 6/1*.
I don't think Blue should give up the possibility of makingthe full prime. That means keeping the barpoint slotted andcovering 13/9, leaving a 5 to play. 18/13 results in a ton ofreturns (I count 29). 13/8 leaves 22 shots, all which wipethe starter off the barpoint. 6/1* leaves 17 shots and only10 of those remove the checker from the barpoint. A downsideis the three blots, but there is some compensation fromWhite's 9/36 fans and the starter on the midpoint whichallows Blue to shift off the 18-point with a 5. Furthermore,even when White hits the blot on the acepoint but misses thebarpoint, 10/36 rolls allow Blue to make the barpoint anyway.
Neil Kazaross: 13/9, 13/8.
This 45 is not our best roll, but I think we can make the best of itby playing 13/8,13/9 and hoping White misses the 22 number shot. Some of White's hitting 4's break his anchor and leave open counterattacking chances for us. If White hits, we just enter and play and still have a nice advantage and a better board and blocking structure.
George Klitsas: 13/9, 13/8.
Blue's main problem is disengaging from White's bar point, since the timing is in White's favor. Disengaging now (18/9) is very dangerous. I think that, having sent the cube over, Blue must try to lock his advantage and seek a direct road to victory, which will cut off White's opportunities to use the cube efficiently in the future. Having this in mind, 13/8 13/9 is the move. Making the 10 point is very strong and leaving the bar point slotted is necessary in order to make a six prime. Of course White is a favorite to hit, but he can do that conveniently only from the 24 point - hitting from the 22 point is not without risks. Even if hit, Blue should have no problems recirculating the hit checker and still have the better of it, both in race terms and overall position.
Laila Leonhardt: 7/2, 6/2.
4-point board might come in handy. There is bound to be some exchange of shots and for Blue that extra point to be the big difference.
White may be tempted off the security on the 3 point to hit with a 6 making some gammon winning scenarios for Blue
Hannu Lyyjynen: 13/9, 13/8.
The bar point checker is exposed to fours and sixes, that hit,but a miss followed by 12,13,14,15 or 65 should win the game. If I get hit, plan B is to re-circulate and try to win using the strong blockade.
Snowie: 13/9, 13/8.
White is stuck on my three point, and I want to keep him stuck there.That means making my nine point. 13/9, 13/8 is the logical way to do this.I leave only one blot, and all my checkers remain in playin front ofWhite's advanced anchor. Yes I leave White a double shot at the blot onmy bar point, but getting hit there is not disastrous for me. On the upside,if White is unable to hit I have a chance to complete a full prime andcompletely hem White in.
Marty Storer: 13/9, 13/8.
Blue can make the 2 point, locking up a four-point board. That isn't bad,but it takes a lot of pressure off White, and I think Blue can do better.The 9 is a very valuable point; I think Blue should make it and look fora 5. 13/8 is reasonable, maintaining the 7-point slot and keeping allcheckers in front of White's anchor, forcing White to break anchor andleave blots with most hitting 4's. 7/2 cuts shots to a mere 14, slottinga fourth inner point at the same time. 6/1* leaves the 7 slotted, withbest chances to make it; however, the three blots and 5 double-hit numbersare somewhat scary. I think the choice is close between 13/9 7/2 and 13/913/8, but I'll leave the extra shots in return for combined positionaland tactical benefit.
Bob Stringer: 7/2, 6/2.
I don't see the point of spreading blots around, which is whatmost of these plays do. 18/9 looks awful -- the chance of making a6 prime is far outweighed by all the shots it gives White. 13/9,13/8 leaves a double shot, and although it's risky for White tohit with a 4, I can see things getting awkward. After all, if Idon't make a 6 prime as a result of 13/9, 13/8, what's my encore?I either have to get the two back men moving -- and that'sdifficult since they'll have been separated from everyone else --or I'm going to move in for another inner board point, which I cando already with 7/2, 6/2. 13/9, 6/1* just leaves shots and dumps achecker on the 1 point, where I don't need it, and 9/5, 7/2 leavesblots and merely starts an inner board point that, once again, Ican make now with 7/2, 6/2.
Kit Woolsey: 7/2, 6/2.
This makes the fourth inner board point and pulls away the checker Whitewould like to hit with his back blot. After my play White will have torelease his anchor in order to hit, which could be very dangerous for him.I don't need a prime here, since I am already ahead in the race and haveall my men out. What I want to do is to be ready to attack.
Chris Yep: 7/2, 6/2.
Blue is way ahead in the race and has a stronger board, so 18/9 definitely has merit. However I prefer 7/2 6/2 which accomplishes the very constructive task of making a 4th inner board point while maintaining connectivity everywhere else. If White hits, he will have to break his anchor to do so (barring 6-2). Blue will have opportunities to run from his anchor at a later time.
Summary: A close vote between blocking sixes and making the newinner board point. I'm still not sure here, but I hate to let Whiteget that back checker moving with a hit.
Play Votes Score13/9, 13/8 5 1007/2, 6/2 4 9013/9, 6/1* 1 6018/9 0 4013/9, 7/2 0 409/5, 7/2 0 40
Problem 3
| 140 159 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: B/23, 13/9*, 9/7.
Bar/23, 13/9* nearly evens the race, at least for themoment. There are many possible plays for the final 2. 20/18creates the fifth blot. Any added flexibility (e.g. making6's more playable) seems offset by the multitude of targets.6/4 and 9/7 both create a builder for the 2-point, but only9/7 keeps all three builders in position for making the 5-point. The last option is 13/11 which brings a 3rd builderinto place for the 5-point. The downside is a total of fourblots, three within reach of White's back checkers. Maybe it's just my conservative nature but this game looks like it will last awhile and with the cube on Blue's side I think the slow route to improvement is preferable. 9/7 by a hair over 13/11.
Neil Kazaross: B/23, 20/18, 6/2.
Hmm..22 is an easy roll to missplay or even blunder and this lookslike no exception !! I'd like to hit, but there seem to be too many return shots and blots and we only have a 2 pt board. I'd like to make our 5 point, but that breaks the bar and still leaves our 2 pt blotted. With that in mind, I have a slight preference for bar/23,6/2, 20/18 but if making the 5 point turns out better, it won't surprise me.
George Klitsas: B/23, 20/18, 6/2.
The quiet B/23 20/18 6/2 looks best. Blue is short of sixes and 20/18 is mandatory. After that move, Blue will have for the moment the better board and White will thing twice before initiating a blood bath. Second best looks the dangerous B/23 20/18 13/9*, which could gain a lot, if things go well, but could easily backfire.
Laila Leonhardt: B/23, 13/9*, 6/4.
White only has a 2-point board and combined with Blue holding the 20-point anchor, Blue can play it a little loose and get that 2nd checker back in the fold and try for a prime or a blitz.
Hannu Lyyjynen: B/23, 7/5(2), 6/4.
Making the five-point gives some sting to the offensiveposition. Thereafter 6/4 giving more cover numbers for the two point with the last two seems better to me than 20/18.
Snowie: B/23, 7/5(2), 6/4.
Hitting is nice, but it isn't always right to hit when there are moreimportant things at stake. Here, the five point is the more importantthing. White will be left scrambling to get safe, and when I domount an attack my position will have some teeth in it. In addition,I keep my midpoint and give White only aces to hit. Hitting on thenine point give White several return shots.
Marty Storer: B/23, 13/9*, 9/7.
Hitting looks necessary; it's good to gain a few pips and try toplay against two back men. Making the 5 with 6/4 is also good, butwith four men back against a decent outside blocking structure I thinkhitting ought to be better. After bar/23 13/9*, I like 9/7, consolidatinga decent position of spares. The alternative 13/11 leaves 6 additionalhitting numbers, which seems a few too many.
Bob Stringer: B/23, 20/18, 6/2.
B/23, 13/11, 13/9* was my choice through the first and seconddrafts because of the nice distribution, but then I counted shots.White hits 22 times. That made me re-think hitting altogether.Other hitting plays are similar. 13/9*, 9/7 is safer, but itdoesn't really put that checker where I want it. I'm hard pressedto say that I want to give White a target on the bar point with13/9*, 20/18 when there's also a blot on the 2 point. This line ofthought pushed me in completely the opposite direction, and nowI'm for making the 2 point. 21/18 isn't bad now, since it leavesonly one blot, and an active play like this has to be better than6/4. Finally, the very solid-looking B/23, 7/5(2), 6/4 has someappeal, but I'm concerned about its lack of flexibility -- awkwardthings may happen if I roll a 6 and don't have a checker on thebar point.
Kit Woolsey: B/23, 13/11, 13/9*.
There are several attractive things to do, but number on on the list itto send that outfield checker to the bar where it belongs. If I don'thit, it is too easy for White so scramble away, and dealing with justone back checker will be difficult. After hitting, I'm willing to goall out with builders for the five point and play 13/11. This leavesWhite more return shots, but I already have many men back and if I am hitI may be able to organize a playable back game.
Chris Yep: B/23, 20/18, 13/9*.
Blue might make his 2 point, but because he has so many checkers back, the 2 point becomes somewhat of a liability. Instead I believe Blue can use a 2 more effectively in the outfield. My choice is b/23 20/18 13/9* which fights for the outfield as well as gains in the race. Note that 7/5(2) trades the bar point for the 5 point. It is definitely an improvement to Blue's forward position, but since Blue has outfield control he will often be able to spread builders in the outfield and make the 5 point on a later turn. Thus I prefer 13/9* over 7/5(2).
Summary: The panel was all over the place on this complex problem.There appear to be good arguments for all of the chosen plays. Perhapsthey are all that close.
Play Votes ScoreB/23, 20/18, 6/2 3 100B/23, 13/9*, 9/7 2 90B/23, 7/5(2), 6/4 2 90B/23, 20/18, 13/9* 1 70B/23, 13/11, 13/9* 1 70B/23, 13/9*, 6/4 1 70B/23, 20/18, 7/5(2) 0 40B/23, 6/4, 6/2 0 40
Problem 4
| 155 170 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 13/7, 9/7.
Only two plays are tempting, the defensive 23/21, 8/2* andthe offensive 13/7, 9/7. The 21-point is nice, especiallywith White's builders poised, but 8/2* not only gives Whitemany happy returns, it wastes Blue's only homeside builder. Making the 7-point gives Blue the better prime and lets Whiteplay ketchup. White can't make progress on both sides of the board without small doublets, and he must start cleaningup the four blots. Attack one, but prime two.
Neil Kazaross: 23/21, 8/2*.
This one is clear to me since White has an array of builders ready toplay and we have the better board. We grab our anchor with 23/21 and hit loose with 8/2x.
George Klitsas: 13/7, 9/7.
Anchoring on the 21 point is tempting but, where is the six? Strategically, Blue must strive for a priming battle, since he has the timing advantage and the thematic move (my choice, as well) is making his bar point and a four prime (13/7 9/7). White has a bunch of builders, but only three active builders for making the four point on Blue's head.
Laila Leonhardt: 13/7, 9/7.
Making the bar point and having the 5point in the prime slotted puts pressure on White next roll.
White favors to make a 4 point prime next time, but this could be on the expense of being stuck behind a 5 point prime of Blue's
Hannu Lyyjynen: 23/21, 8/2*.
The tempo hit makes White to think about entering instead offreely developing his side. While distracting White I move to the better defensive anchor. This should give me a very playable holding game or backgame.
Snowie: 23/21, 8/2*.
When you can do good things on both sides of the board, that is usuallythe route to take. Making the 21 point stops White's prime from rollingforward, and the loose hit on the two point prevents White from improvinghis board further. Getting hit back is not a big deal, since I alreadyhave several checkers back. The key here is to keep White busy so hewon't have a chance to extend his blockade.
Marty Storer: 13/7, 9/7.
Blue can press his existing advantage in forward development, forminga 4.5-prime. The checker on the 21 is vulnerable, but it's a gooddiversion against White's numbers that hit outside or make the 5 point.Blue may also be able to make the 21. Magriel's criteria are much infavor of a bold play this time; the alternative bold play 21/15 13/11is pretty good, but I'd rather make the key 7 point while the making'sgood.
Bob Stringer: 23/21, 8/2*.
23/21 plus something else is the first thing I look at in aposition like this one, since the 4 point is a good anchor andWhite is seriously threatening to make a good inner board point,possibly on my head. If that's the play, then 8/2* seems to gobetter with it than 13/7. The latter play isn't awful, but itgives White 25 shots to hit and that seems a bit much. Even thoughnot all of those hits are terrific for White (e.g., 6-1 or 5-1),some are pretty good (e.g., 6-2, 5-2 or 6-5). There's the upsideof my possibly making a 4 or 5 point prime if White misses, butthe odds are that he won't. 8/2*, on the other hand, stops hisoffense for at least one roll. He can't make my bar point, nor canhe make an inner board point unless he throws doubles. If I*don't* play 23/21, then making my bar point is clear. 23/15 and21/15, 13/11 don't *do* anything, except give White a shot at theblot, as well as a free hand to make an inner board point. Well,ok, they do put some pressure on the blot on the 14 point whenWhite would like to think about other things, and White won'tnecessarily like breaking his midpoint to hit on the 15, but Ithink that these plays have more downside than upside. 21/13 istoo passive. So, make the bar point or the 21? I dunno. I thinkWhite's offense has to be stopped, so I'm making the anchor andhitting. I'm sure that over the board I'd make the bar point.
Kit Woolsey: 13/7, 9/7.
How bad can a solid four-prime with the fifth point slotted in the back be?Sure White has some good rolls, but he can't both make his five point andpoint on my head at the same time. I have the anchor on his two pointand a spare checker on the midpoint which White lacks, so I'm willing totake my chances in a priming battle.
Chris Yep: 23/21, 8/2*.
Looks like the most natural move. White's builders are in position to build quickly, so a tempo hit (8/2*) keeps White from building. At the same time 23/21 creates an advanced anchor and puts a halt to White's priming opportunities.
A dead heat between the two logical choices. The plays are so thematicallydifferent that one of them may be way better than the other, but whichone? Time will tell.
Play Votes Score13/7, 9/7 5 10023/21, 8/2* 5 9023/21, 13/7 0 4023/15 0 4021/13 0 4021/15, 13/11 0 40
Problem 5
| 119 134 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 9/2*.
Again I trim the choices to two. 22/15 makes a run forit. 9/2* attacks the single back checker. In either caseBlue takes advantage of White's blot on his 2-point. Bluewill be down 12 pips after this roll (including 4 pips forWhite being on roll) so running is antithematic. Blue'sstronger board and White's one back call for an attack.Running might win more games but hitting should lead tomore gammons. Without cube access, if the two plays areclose then the gammons could tip the scales. 9/2* for me.
Neil Kazaross: 9/2*.
Hmm..two choices...22/15 or 9/2x. 22/15 leaves White in difficulty ifhe misses but we are behind in the race. It also gives us plenty of return shots unless he hits and covers. 9/2x is the more direct approach to take advantage of our better board and White's blotted two point. This should lead to more G's either way, but could blow up in our face as well. I have a slight preference for 9/2x, but would play 22/15 if the race were a few pips closer.
George Klitsas: 22/15.
White has blitzing potential and Blue must not play with fire with a move like 22/21 13/7. Thinking that he is slightly behind in the race, that he has the better board and that Blue will dance with 9 numbers, Blue might try to attack with 9/2*. I don't think that this move is particularly strong. White will gleefully hit back with a two and will be quite happy if he simply enters from the bar, while Blue will still have the problem of escaping White's blockade. 9/2* would be much more tempting if White had more blots. For that reason, going out with 22/15 is the move I prefer.
Laila Leonhardt: 22/15.
White is only going to escape safely by rolling a 5-5. Blue would very much like to complete the prime and hunt for the gammon.
If White hits with a 5-2 or 6-1, then the checker on the 15 point will work as a great return cover, hitting back on most 6's from the bar.
Hannu Lyyjynen: 9/2*.
This play prepares to make the two point if White misses from the barand also creates some awful entering numbers.
Snowie: 22/15.
It might look anti-thematic to run when behind in the race, but my playdoes a lot more than this. The checker on the 15 point helps cover myouter board in case White should make a run for it, as well as being a newbuilder to cover the blot on the nine point and extend my blockade.It will be inconvenient for White to hit my fleeing blot, since thiscosts him his midpoint and he still has the blot on his two point to worryabout. With any reasonable luck I will be able to contain White's backchecker with all 15 of my men working on that job.
Marty Storer: 9/2*.
Blue can try to take advantage of White's weak forward position andinner board in two ways. He can slot his 7 point; that gives astrong advantage if he can make that point to trap White's backchecker. Or he can hit loose; that gives White many bad replies,and generates many shots at White's inner-board blot. The troublewith slotting is that Blue is exposed in White's inner board; notonly does White have 13 numbers to hit on Blue's 7, but some othersto attack in his board and slow Blue down. I think Blue needs thetempo; 9/2* is very threatening on its own, and does a lot to stallWhite's progress. Behind in the race, Blue can't really consider theweenie play of 22/15.
Bob Stringer: 13/6.
I'm behind in the race, and so that checker stays on the 22 point.I'd be more worried about White's blitz potential (which isincreased by the fact that he's made his ace point) if I didn'thave the stronger board. 13/7, 8/7 gives White a direct shot, andeverything is down hill if he hits it. I can't see anything goodabout 22/21, which moves the blot up into a slightly morevulnerable position *and* gives White a direct shot.
Kit Woolsey: 13/7, 8/7.
I have the stronger inner board, the better blockade, and White's positionis a mess with the blot on his two point. The only bad thing about myposition is that I am behind in the race. Given all this, I think thatmaking the bar point and leaving the eight point slotted is the bestway to finish White off. If White doesn't roll a six, I will have nothingbut good numbers, and if he does roll that six I can still hit back.White needs sixes badly on his side of the board, so there is some elementof duplication. Hitting loose can work, but if White merely enters I stillhave the problem of containing the checker with one less builder towork with. Running is also possible, but White may then hit or runhimself.
Chris Yep: 9/2*.
Blue is behind in the race so has little incentive to run. At the same time Blue has a stronger board, credible attack numbers (10 checkers in the attack zone), and White has an inner board blot. These factors all point toward 9/2*.
The choice of the panel was to hit 'em while they are down. It certainlymakes a lot of sense, although the followup may not be as easy aseverybody thinks.
Play Votes Score9/2* 5 10022/15 3 8013/6 1 6013/7, 8/7 1 6022/21, 13/7 0 40
Problem 6
| 123 140 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 8/5, 8/4.
Blue has all the makings of a good holding game except a board.Go for it now while White has two blots to clean up. ThenBlue can jetison the midpoint. I may be way missing something, but this looks like a 'breather' problem in an otherwise difficult problem set.
Neil Kazaross: 15/8.
This is not a pretty shot nor a pretty position. I'd like to play8/5,8/4 and try to improve our board, but then we really don't like getting hit with an ace with no spares to play and two blots in our board.The blots are also a liability in some other variations where we are missed and then roll a number that hits but doesn't cover. I'd make that play at GG, but here I have a slight preference for 15/8 which gains spares and flexibilty (although stacked) and, more importantly many of White's hits break an outfield point and leave us quite a few shots and blots to go after.
George Klitsas: 8/5, 8/4.
Given that all reasonable moves (8/1 is, of course, out of the question) leave a shot, 8/4 8/5, slotting valuable points, can't be bad and is, actually, my choice. The most probable scenario is that White escapes, Blue keeps the 15 and 20 points, making White's life difficult, while completing his "reception committee", waiting for a late shot.
Laila Leonhardt: 8/5, 8/4.
Getting hit is not a problem, actually a little timing would make theposition more flexible for Blue, and if not hit, it will help speed up the board building, having already made the ace point, the homeboard has no priming value and therefore getting a stronger board is a priority. Once one of White's checkers is hit, that's the where the battle is decided.
Hannu Lyyjynen: 8/5, 8/4.
I need a strong board to turn the game around. This is the fastestway to make it.
Snowie: 15/8.
Ever hear of TMP? That stands for too many points, which is what I haveright now on White's side of the board. I'm not going to be able tohold them all, and breaking them later will be difficult once Whitebuilds up his board. Now is the time to break one of these points.I'm behind in the race, so I'm not leaving my back anchor. 15/8 is thelogical choice. White's threes are duplicated -- in fact, White probablywon't be able to hit the blot with most rolls. The normal course of eventswill be for White to bring his back checker around, I move the other checkerfrom the 15 point, and I wind up with a very comfortable five-point holdinggame.
Marty Storer: 15/8.
Blue has TMP; should he hang onto his seven points with 8/1? Icouldn't bring myself to do that, so the only reasonable planseems to be 15/8, keeping both the midpoint and 8 point to restrainWhite's straggler. The blot on the 15 point isn't very vulnerablegiven White's inside blot and stripped outside position.
Bob Stringer: 15/8.
I'd like to use the 3 to start the 5 point, but I don't see apalatable use for the 4. 8/5, 15/11 might be good for all I know,since it maintains maximum contact when that's what I want to do,but I'm at a loss to tell whether that (plus duplicating 3's)compensates for all the direct shots it gives White. Over theboard I tend to leave too many shots to my grief, and so I'm notinclined to do it here. 8/5, 8/4, on the other hand, is toohurried -- it breaks the 8 point and leaves a direct shot there.And while it starts two points, I don't have much in the way ofbuilders for a follow-up. So I'm not starting the 5 point. 13/6and 15/8 are similar plays. I like 15/8 better because themidpoint is a better point than the 15. I reject 13/10, 13/9because it gives up the midpoint. 8/1 is insane. Even I know that.
Kit Woolsey: 8/5, 8/4.
I'm going to need a big board in the future, and this is the way to getit. It isn't too costly if White hits, since I am already behind in therace and I may have a blot in his board to shoot at. If he doesn't hithe moves his back checker, and I can fill in my board and wait for him.Other plays involve giving up a key outfield point, which could be costly.
Chris Yep: 13/10, 13/9.
Blue's biggest problem is his awkward (stripped) position. He must take steps to rectify this problem. 8/1 leaves no shots but puts a checker out of play and still leaves a stripped position. 8/5 8/4 only leaves a single shot, but it still leaves Blue with an awkward position next turn. The other moves all have their merits, but I prefer 13/10 13/9. It allows Blue to easily clean up his blots next turn if missed, while providing Blue with good flexibility for the next few turns.
In a close vote, the panel went for slotting the inner board points andholding the outfield intact. It does seem to be the thematic thing todo. Every point Blue makes is very valuable.
Play Votes Score8/5, 8/4 5 10015/8 4 9013/10, 13/9 1 6015/11, 8/5 0 4013/6 0 408/1 0 40
Problem 7
| 120 153 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 13/6.
Blue's main concern is making some kind of anchor. In themeantime leaving a third blot makes it easier for Whiteto attack and increases the gammon threat. 13/6 is safestand doesn't do much damage to Blue's flexibility. Hittingon the ace strips a builder besides leaving the shots. 24/21,13/9 looks like suicide. Although 13/9 accompanied by 6/3 appears flexible, besides the extra blot to be attacked now or in the next few rolls, 6/3 damages future flexibilty. 13/6 looks like the least of evils.
Neil Kazaross: 8/1*.
This looks like a golfing problem to me. It's a short par 4 and Whiteis pulling out the Really Big Bertha Driver to attempt to drive the green. We are in big trouble and need to try to knock White's ball off the tee to distract him. 8/1x for me here. I'd try 24/21,13/9 at DMP but that loses too many G's from the blitz here, IMO.
George Klitsas: 13/6.
I would probably move to the 21 p, if I had a safe 4 to play. As it is, leaving another blot is quite dangerous and I prefer the safer 13/6.
Laila Leonhardt: 13/9, 6/3.
Trouble is lurking. Blue is already in a very fragile position, that may well end in loosing a gammon.
I would be careful about leaving too many blots exposed and avoid coming under the gun. Blue's main priority is to get an anchor, though tempting to hit on the ace point to keep White half way occupied for one roll fighting off the impending blitz, I like more pure play.
Hannu Lyyjynen: 24/21, 13/9.
This is the most aggressive and constructive way in trying toequalize. If avoiding losing gammon was a consideration, I would play the quiet 13/6.
Snowie: 8/1*.
My back checkers are in big trouble. It is vital to create a diversionbefore they get blown off the board. The loose hit on the ace point isa must.
Marty Storer: 8/1*.
Blue is really in trouble and absolutely needs to deprive Whiteof the full roll to attack. Claw equity, thy name is tempo-hit.Blue's most realistic hope is to make the 23 point for low-anchorequity. Hopefully he can play against White's back man, butfirst he needs to force White to train one of his guns awayfrom the blots in White's inner board.
Bob Stringer: 13/6.
With this nothing roll I'm afraid that the best play is to notnudge the position from a probable loss toward a more certain one.24/21 is not in the picture, since White has the strongereverything, and a blot on the 21 gives him something extra topound on. 13/6 does nothing good and nothing bad. 13/10, 13/19looks ok for maybe half a second; after that all I see is averitable plethora of blots strewn around the board when White isin a strong position to attack. 13/9, 8/5 starts a good point, butit's also too dangerous. I don't like putting three checkers onthe 3 point with 13/9, 6/3; if I'm going to do something harmless,I'll play 13/6 instead. 8/1* isn't useless as it appears at firstblush, since it diverts White from his impending attack. Leftunmolested, White won't just sit there; he'll attack. For example,if he gets a roll like 6-1 he'll play 8/2*, 2/1*. Hitting him putsa stop to that for now. However, I'd like 8/1* better if it gaveWhite some awkward rolls in return , and I don't see very many.Other than dancing, only 6-2 looks bad for him.
Kit Woolsey: 13/10, 13/9.
This is a dangerous play with my back men exposed to being attacked, butI think I have to develop my position. If White blitzes successfully, I'mprobably going to be gammoned whether I leave the outfield blots or not.If I survive and get an anchor, I will be in immediate position to builda board and get back in the game.
Chris Yep: 8/1*.
Blue's back men are in severe danger. For this reason, 8/1* is more a defensive move than anything else. 13/6 also looks strong since it doesn't expose another blot, but I believe it's more important for Blue to take away half of White's roll. Also by hitting on the ace point, White might move up in Blue's inner board, allowing Blue to play behind him if necessary.
The close choice of the panel was the distraction loose hit on the ace point.In retrospect, I must agree. Other plays are too likely to be blitzed outof existence.
Play Votes Score8/1* 4 10013/6 3 9024/21, 13/9 1 6013/10, 13/9 1 6013/9, 6/3 1 6013/9, 8/5 0 40
Problem 8
| 153 163 | White money game Blue |
Chuck Bower: 13/7, 6/1*.
To quote the wise old heartland philosopher Jake Jacobs: "Don't try and play catch up lest you wind up wearing the mustard." That rules out lovers' leap. "One back, attack!" once again seems to be the battle cry. Blue's strength is his better homeboard and White's weakness is the two blots. After 6/1*, the choice is between 24/18 -- going after a second checker or the opp's barpoint -- and 13/7 -- extra builder/bullet or chances to make the homeside barpoint. The latter leaves fewer returns (especially fewer double returns) and unstacks the midpoint. I think Blue should focus on theoffensive side here.
Neil Kazaross: 24/18, 13/8.
We have the stronger board and aren't ahead in the race and if werun, I don't think we put enough pressure on White. I prefer the "pretty" play of 24/18, 13/8 to get a spare on our 8 point.
George Klitsas: 24/13.
Compared to a very similar problem, a couple of months ago (I think the only difference is that White had one man on his ten point and one less on the mid), this position thematically tends to make me stick on running all the way with 24/13. Blue is better in the race by 4 pips compared to the older problem and White has a builder less, so distracting plays are less attractive here.
Laila Leonhardt: 24/13.
Leaping out evens out the game. There is no reason to jeopardizean additional checker at the point in the game.
Hannu Lyyjynen: 24/18, 13/8.
The tempo hit on my ace point risks getting two on the bar withsome White entries, which is not good. Hence I play the normal action split.
Snowie: 24/18, 13/8.
I have the stronger inner board, and White has only one checker back.Everything points to a bold play, so I must put my men where they belong24/18, 13/8 leaves me ideal distribution.
Marty Storer: 13/8, 13/7.
Many good choices; the only thing that stands out as wrong to meis 13/7 6/1*, which is too feeble a frontwards play. Playingdirectly against White's back man looks good given the largeamount of 6-duplication; there's also 51-duplication,42-duplication, and 33-duplication in favor of slotting the 7.24/18 13/8 is my second choice, 24/18 6/1* my third; I think24/13 is too passive. I wouldn't be too surprised if any ofmy top three choices came out on top. But 13/7 13/8 is themost straightforward way to build on the advantage in forwarddevelopment, so I like that play best.
Bob Stringer: 24/18, 13/8.
Most of the choices look reasonable, but I like putting a builderon the 8 point to improve my offense, while moving out to the barpoint to put the question to White on his side of the board. 24/13is too mechanical, or passive, or something or other. Could bebetter for all I know, but I prefer a position with contact.24/18, 6/1* seems unnecessary, since 24/18, 13/8 also doessomething good on my side of the board, but without the risk ofbeing hit. 13/8, 13/7 can't be right, or we'd play it all thetime. It leaves White with too many good things to do -- eitherhit the blot or make a point on his side of the board. 13/7, 6/1*is too optimistic. It would be ok if White had two blots on myside of the board so I'd have something to attack, but thisposition doesn't present enough blitz potential.
Kit Woolsey: 24/18, 13/8.
Everything looks right for this play. I have the stronger board, Whitehas only one man back, and my eight point is stripped. After my play,all my checkers will be ideally placed. Other plays are much lessproductive.
Chris Yep: 24/18, 13/8.
See some similar interesting early-game positions posted in the bulletin board recently. 24/18 13/8 is thematic here. Blue has more men back, but a stronger inner board. At the same time he has a stripped 8 point. Since 24/18 13/8 is only a .05 error on the opening move, I feel confident that it is better than 24/13 in this early-game position. I also feel that it is better than the other 3 candidate moves as it accomplishes two desirable things -- (1) it starts an advanced anchor, while provoking contact and (2) it fortifies Blue's stripped 8 point. Overall then, 24/18 13/8 looks best to me.
The panel was quite on top of the thematic split and build play in thissort of position. I am confident that it is the correct choice.
Play Votes Score24/18, 13/8 6 10024/13 2 7013/8, 13/7 1 6013/7, 6/1* 1 6024/18, 6/1* 0 40
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Chuck Bower 10/7* 13/9, 6/1* B/23, 13/9*, 9/7 13/7, 9/7 9/2* 8/5, 8/4 13/6 13/7, 6/1*Neil Kazaross 10/7* 13/9, 13/8 B/23, 20/18, 6/2 23/21, 8/2* 9/2* 15/8 8/1* 24/18, 13/8George Klitsas 10/7* 13/9, 13/8 B/23, 20/18, 6/2 13/7, 9/7 22/15 8/5, 8/4 13/6 24/13Laila Leonhardt 11/9, 10/9 7/2, 6/2 B/23, 13/9*, 6/4 13/7, 9/7 22/15 8/5, 8/4 13/9, 6/3 24/13Hannu Lyyjynen 10/7* 13/9, 13/8 B/23, 7/5(2), 6/4 23/21, 8/2* 9/2* 8/5, 8/4 24/21, 13/9 24/18, 13/8Snowie 10/7* 13/9, 13/8 B/23, 7/5(2), 6/4 23/21, 8/2* 22/15 15/8 8/1* 24/18, 13/8Marty Storer 10/7* 13/9, 13/8 B/23, 13/9*, 9/7 13/7, 9/7 9/2* 15/8 8/1* 13/8, 13/7Bob Stringer 10/7* 7/2, 6/2 B/23, 20/18, 6/2 23/21, 8/2* 13/6 15/8 13/6 24/18, 13/8Kit Woolsey 8/7*, 7/5 7/2, 6/2 B/23, 13/11, 13/9* 13/7, 9/7 13/7, 8/7 8/5, 8/4 13/10, 13/9 24/18, 13/8Chris Yep 10/7* 7/2, 6/2 B/23, 20/18, 13/9* 23/21, 8/2* 9/2* 13/10, 13/9 8/1* 24/18, 13/8
