sol6016m.htm | Gammonline - Backgammon Resources

Alan Alsop: 18/2*.
Leaving a blot is inevitable. Running the back men would be a strong move if there wasn't a blot on the 8 point. The bar point offers sanctuary if Blue is hit. Blue has the weaker board but in this case attack is the best move.

Chuck Bower: 18/2*.
If Blue is going to leave a bunch of shots (15 minimum), he mayas well put White on the rail and go for some gammons. After 6/2*, thequestion is whether to hold the 18-point or move all three checkers upto the 14-point. The 18-point has three advantages: keeping pressure onWhite's midpoint, providing some safety (pseudo-anchor) if hit, andkeeping a builder on the 6-point. The 14-point provides covers for the 8-point (although 6's are duplicated) and gets those checkers moving for the race. Timing appears to be on Blue's side, so keeping the 18-point and pressuring White look better. 18/2* for me.

Malcolm Davis: 18/2*.
Having doubled, I don't want to allow my opponent a full roll to recover hisdisadvantage. I just don't see a more attractive play. When in doubt, hit.

Doug Doub: 18/2*.
I have trouble seeing any reasonable alternatives here. 6-2* looks veryclear, since we would be exposed to a direct shot however we play thisnumber. After hitting, 18-6 gets the most offense in place while keeping avaluable defensive point. No second choice here.

George Klitsas: 18/14(3), 8/4.
I like 18/14(3) 8/4, playing with only one blot. To be frank, I would trust even a 1-ply bot than my own judgment in this unusual position.

Rob Maier: 18/14(3), 6/2*.
Nobody wants to try 7/3 6/2(3)*? Well, if White anchors instead of hitting, or just fans, it would be nice to clear our back point without incident.

Snowie: 18/2*.
I have to leave a shot whatever I do, and if I am hit I better hangonto the defensive bar point so I will have a lifeline to the outfieldfor the hit checker. Also, that anchor makes it more difficult forWhite to bring the builders down from the midpoing. My play is anatural smooth play -- great distribution if I am missed, and decentways to fight back if I am hit.

Bob Stringer: 18/2*.
Either the play I selected or 18/14(3), 6/2*. 18/2* maximizes thenumber of rolls that cover if White misses, and it leaves an avenue ofescape in case I'm hit. 18/14(3), 6/2* still leaves plenty of shots tocover, gets in position to cover the 8 point if necessary, and bygetting away from White's side of the board makes it less likely anaccident will happen while bringing those final men around (though Idon't consider the last a big factor). What decides it is that Whitehas the cube. Things can go wrong, and keeping his bar point gives melife almost regardless of what happens.

Kit Woolsey: 18/14(3), 6/2*.
Moving the back men up seems clear -- I don't want the complications ofgetting stuck on White's bar point. For the last four, I might as wellhit on the two point. I am going to have to leave a shot in any event,so I should make the play which comes out the best when it works.

Chris Yep: 18/2*.
Is Blue racing or attacking? It's not clear to me. Since Blue has to leave a direct shot no matter how he plays and since his board is close in strength to White's board (White has a 4 point board, but also an inner board blot; Blue only has a 3 point board, but backs it up with his bar point as well as one more builder in direct range) I believe Blue should hit (6/2*). Hitting significantly increases Blue's gammons. In my opinion, the extra blot that it leaves is worth it. Hitting twice is too much however, since it strips both the 5 and 6 points and leaves 4 blots. Here the potential gain is not worth the risk. This leaves two moves to consider, 18/2* and 18/14(3) 6/2*. I like 18/2*. In addition to getting a 13th checker into range and adding an extra builder for the 2 point, Blue already has a significant timing advantage. Although he leads in the race, he only has his 18 point anchor to clear while White has 2 back checkers and the midpoint which he may not be able to move from. As a result, despite Blue's racing lead, White is close to breaking on the other side of the board while Blue has plenty of spares to play with on his side of the board.

Summary: The panel voted to hold the anchor on the bar point. Makessense, but I'm not convinced. That anchor could prove difficult to clearin the future.