178
money game
Blue
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Problem 1
| 126 178 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: B/23, 17/16(2).
Blue is in real danger, four men back and behind an effective 5 pt prime. Although Blue does have a reasonable forward game. The timing alas is not brilliant for Blue. The main question is whether to hit or not. If Blue hits, is there sufficient time on our side to extricate our back men and maintain our forward game without wasting builders, very doubtful. Blue does have a reasonable positional game. I think this is the area that he must pursue. Bring the man off the bar to the 23 pt ready to leap over the prime. At the moment Blue can't move up the last man, as this would leave the last move to hit. I won't move up to the bar pt, it is better off where it is extending the prime. This only leaves moving from the 17 pt for manoeuvring, no problem with that.
Chuck Bower: B/23, 8/7(2).
Starting out with a toughie this month. Even in the late 70'sit was known that the 1-2 backgame requires voluminous timing.That's not present here. Bar/23 therefore looks like a goodstart. After that three plays are tempting.
24/23, 5/4 "puts the checkers where they belong". The downsideis the blot vulnerable to 16 returns. 8/7(2) trades points witha slight loss, since the longer prime is almost always moreeffective. 5/4*/3 creates some awkward rolls for White -- forexample: 3-2. But with six checkers back Blue wants to keepall his homeside checkers in good positions.
8/7(2) is my compromise choice. It doesn't do much positive, but minimizes the downsides. White could roll an awkward number (like 3-1), and next turn Blue could roll what he really needs --a 6.
Neil Kazaross: B/24, 17/16(2), 5/4*.
Hmm..this is by far the hardest in this problem set and Kit nevermentioned a very viable play here, considering that this position basically is a backgame. I know I'd play the kamikaze bar to 24, 54-x,3-2x,8-7 if it were DMP or likely here, if we had the enemy bar point rather than the 8 point and could escape after entry with less problems. However, here, we just may get a few more checkers sent back and then they enter and then we get squeezed of the 17 point and drift into a busted backgame with considerably greater BG chances with all those men back. Thus we likely want to look for something non-kamikaze.
What about bar-23 8-7(2) trying to play more positionally ? My worryabout that play is that it doesn't gain much when it works and if we don't get a quick 6 we lose our board and/or the 17 point and can be semi-blitzed to a deuce-point game that will be G'd frequently.
So I am going to play bar-24 and find 3 more aces. 5-4x looks like my2nd ace and now it's a choice between 8-7(2) and 17-16(2).Strange as it may seem I'll play 17-16(2) to force 44 to bust up the enemy prime. We are grasping at straws here and sometimes 44 will bust a roll or two later as well. Also after 17-16(2) our own 55 doesn't trash us.
George Klitsas: B/23, 8/7(2).
Blue has virtually no chance in a 1-2 backgame, so all plays involving stopping on the 24 point must be rejected immediately. It would be nice to have all of his back checkers on the 23 point, but the only reasonable play is B/23 24/23 5/4*, to be rejected as well, since, even if White dances, Blue will need an instant joker, like a 6-4, to justify this play. Obviously, B/23 5/4*(2) is even worse along with the unthinkable B/23 5/4*/3. Blue needs his 17 point as a link for his back checkers, therefore B/23 17/16(2) is definitely much worse than the winner, which is, in my opinion, the only candidate left, namely B/23 8/7(2).
Laila Leonhardt: B/24, 8/7(2), 5/4*.
Blue is having a timing problem, but still in a position where he does nothave to throw in the towel and put blots all over to try to rescue sometiming.
There are still some strategic priming values left. Blue might still be ableto get White stuck behind a prime and to have to break. Blue should holdonto the 24 and 23 point until White's prime breaks, so he can always fallback on a solid 1-2 backgame should other approach fail
Snowie: B/24, 17/16(2), 5/4*.
I may have to play a backgame, so I want to keep that option open. However,if I can win frontowards by forcing White to break up his prime, I wouldprefer to do that. What is White's biggest problem numberin back? Fours --both of his back checkers are blocked on fours. So let's make his foursreally bad by making the 16 point along with the mandatory loose hit onour four point. If White should happen to roll 4-4, it is juicy. Note thatthis root number of 4-4 isn't only for this coming roll -- it will be staringWhite in the face for quite some time. Yes, the 16 point is more effectivethan the 17 point in this position.
Marty Storer: B/24, 17/16(2), 5/4*.
This is not a happy position no matter what Blue does. Hischances to make forward progress don't seem good enough tojustify giving up the 24 point. Maintaining both anchorsgives some claw equity. Switching to the 16 point givesgives White a bad 44; hitting not only threatens to makethe 4 point but gives White a bad 26. Blue may still be ableto salvage something even if he can't make his 4 point. Hemay maintain timing somehow, by breaking his 23, staying onthe bar a turn or three, or getting a spare out of White'sboard via the 23 point.
Bob Stringer: B/23, 17/16(2).
The timing for a back game just doesn't look like it's there. Itherefore don't want 2 checkers trapped on the 24 point, whichmeans B/23 uses up two of the 1's. I also don't need to increasethe risk of a gammon, so no hitting with 5/4.* That leaves threepossibilities to shift points: 17/16(2), 8/7(2) and 3/2(2).* 3/2 *exchanges the 3 for the 2 point, which is no improvement, andputting White on the bar doesn't gain time for anything, since heshould re-enter right away and his spare on the 19 means that hisre-entry won't be awkward. I like the 8 point better than the 7,since it blocks White's checker on the 2 point, and so everythingelse being equal, I'd like it to stay. I don't see a downside to17/16, so that makes it by default.
Casper van der Tak: B/24, 17/16(2), 5/4*.
A key feature in this position is that Blue has too little timing right now to make a backgame playable.
Therefore, Blue would like to either improve the timing, or to go forward. In order to go forward, Blue should make is 4-point and hope that White will crack over the next turns. So B/24 and 5/4* are part of the answer. Hitting loose also has the advantage that it gives some chances to rectify Blue's timing.
For the last 2 ones I like 17/16(2) better than 8/7(2), even thought the 17-point seems to work as a bridge for the back checkers. Why? After 8/7(2), dance, and covering the 4, White does not have breaking numbers, but he has breaking number (41, 42) after 17/16(2). A similar effect after entering (but not hitting) followed by 44, depending on how the entering number is played.
Sometimes the best way to play these position is by stacking on the 23, and playing from there, but Blue might get a fifth checker send back, so he wants to have two anchors.
Kit Woolsey: B/24, 8/7(2), 5/4*.
I can still win this frontwards if things go well -- otherwise we need toprepare for the back game as best I can. Hitting loose on the four pointis a must in all variations. Holding the 17 point looks right, since I mayneed a place for our back checkers to spring to. Making the bar pointconsolidates my position up front. I'm not willing to abandon the 24 pointand give up on the back game just yet.
Chris Yep: B/24, 8/7(2), 5/4*.
Concentrating only on White's inner board, both b/24 (secures the second anchor) and b/23 (puts a spare on 23, allowing Blue to keep the point if he should leap with a 6) look close in value. Thus I believe Blue should play b/24 (using up only one of the aces) if he has a constructive play of an ace in another area of the board. It looks like this is the case. I like b/24 8/7(2) 5/4*. This move tries to go forward while still preserving Blue's backgame options. After hitting 5/4*, Blue should leave the point slotted. Continuing with 4/2* is too loose as Blue doesn't have the ammunition for a blitz. With only 9 checkers in the zone, it looks better to put the checker where it belongs (on the 4 point). Another possibility is 17/16(2), but this breaks the link between the outfield point and the back checkers. Furthermore 8/7(2) gives Blue a more compact (stronger) prime. My preference is b/24 8/7(2) 5/4*.
Summary: The majority of the panel went for keeping the backgame prospectsintact by holding onto the 24 point and hitting loose inside. The conceptof advancing to the 16 point in order to to give White problems with 4-4is rather neat. I wish I had thought of it.
Play Votes ScoreB/24, 17/16(2), 5/4* 4 100B/24, 8/7(2), 5/4* 3 90B/23, 17/16(2) 2 80B/23, 8/7(2) 2 80B/23, 24/23, 5/4* 0 40B/23, 5/4(2)* 0 40B/23, 5/4*, 4/3 0 40B/24, 5/4*, 4/2* 0 40
Problem 2
| 175 133 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 24/21, 13/8.
What a lot of blots for Blue to consider. Blue needs to gather his men and bring them home and block White out. White has a poor board and very little strength to his game. Combined with the man on the bar this gives Blue full licence to be very aggressive. Apart from the joker of double 2's and to a lesser extent double 4's White has virtually little to chance of entering next throw and not leave another blot. Blue also needs to be in a good position to attack White on all fronts and achieve his objectives. The above move I think achieves this aim.
Chuck Bower: 24/21, 13/8.
Is this a "midpoint: love itor leave it" problem? Well, I'm leavin'. The 8-point is goodfor blocking or attacking the 2-point (if White enters there),for blocking the 4-point, and as a safe landing place. Maybe Bluecan remake the midpoint later. 24/21 (the 'obvious' three) is my other half. I'm going with my over-the-board instincts. Please score me 60 points and let's move on.
Neil Kazaross: 24/21, 13/8.
We are well ahead and simply want to come home. I quickly play24-21,13-8 hoping to close our bar next and have a nice structure to roll home with.
George Klitsas: 24/21, 13/8.
Blue should minimize the number of his blots, in order to avoid a catastrophe, in case that he is hit and dances. Blue must not lift any of his blots on his 7 and 8 point , because he will need a four prime as a landing area for his checkers, when struggling to bring his position home later on. It would be nice to retain his midpoint, with a play like 21/13. I think it's close, but I prefer making immediately the 8 point and secure an anchor on the 21 point (24/21 13/8) - with one fewer blot in comparison with 21/13.
Laila Leonhardt: 21/16, 17/14.
Blue's main purpose is to get checkers home and win the game, and the lesscontact he can have with White the better he likes it.Duplicating the 2 and 4's with the numbers White needs to exit from the barlooks like the prettier choice for the cleanest 'homecoming'
Snowie: 21/13.
We have a respite with White on the bar, and I should use it tostrengthen my outfield control. 21/13 is the play which does this.White's various return shots aren't a big deal here.
Marty Storer: 24/21, 13/8.
The 8 point is valuable; making the 21 protects againstimmediate 22, and provides long-term value if Whitecomes in safely or hits. If White hits, Blue has manyreturn shots. In any event he has good chances to makethe very useful 7 point or remake the midpoint. Withthis play, all of Blue's checkers are connected, he hasgood coverage of the outer boards and his 2 point, andhe makes good progress in his forward movement.
Bob Stringer: 21/13.
The only point that can be made here is the 21, but I'm so farahead in the race that the value of that anchor is debatable.There are a lot of blots to clean up, and so I can't see moving upthe checker on the 24; it's safe back there while other points arecleaned up. At the same time, since I have a stronger board andWhite has a man on the bar, cleaning up two blots this turn isn'turgent, so I'll play with an eye to making assets. I'd like tomake the 7 or 8 point, so those blots stay there. I like 21/13because it picks up one blot and brings a man in range to make oneof those points while maintaining the midpoint.
Casper van der Tak: 24/21, 13/8.
I see nothing really deep in this position. Got the move the back checkers up, so 24/21; eliminates two blots, and provides a measure of security should White enter (and especially should White hit). Then 13/8 - a useful landing point.
Kit Woolsey: 24/21, 13/8.
With White stuck on the bar, this looks like the time to make as manygood points as I can. The 21 point and the eight point certainly qualify.I'm not too concerned about giving up the midpoint or leaving a few returnshots right now, since White can't do too much damage in any event.
Chris Yep: 24/21, 13/8.
Blue has a large race lead and a stronger board. At the same time White has the 21-point anchor, so a gammon is unlikely. Blue's task is simply to come home safely. 24/21 13/8 minimizes blots (3 blots compared to 4-5 blots after the other plays), creates a good landing point (the 8 point), and is the only move (except 21/18 13/8, which leaves 5 blots) which keeps all checkers connected. Connectivity is valuable since if White hits from the bar, Blue will always have return shots, which themselves are valuable since Blue has a 4-point board. Moving up (24/21) does relieve some of the pressure on White (compared to 21/13 for example, another serious contender which leaves 4 blots but adds a spare to the midpoint and keeps a checker on the 24). A checker on 24 prevents (or at least discourages) White from dumping checkers to his low points. On closer inspection however, it doesn't gain much. White only has 2 spares on his 6, while he has a heavily stacked midpoint. Thus unstacking from the 6 point instead of the midpoint significantly weakens White's position. Furthermore the 4s and 5s which allow White to dump from his 6 point are already good for White. White has good 5s from the midpoint and good 4s from the bar or from the 21 if he enters there. Thus 24/21 does not hurt much from this standpoint and I believe the other features of 24/21 13/8 (mainly keeping connectivity and reducing blots) are the overriding factors in this position.
Summary: Moves which do good things on two sides of the board are seldom far wrong.The panel followed this theme, which looks quite reasonable here.
Play Votes Score24/21, 13/8 8 10021/13 2 7021/16, 17/14 1 6021/16, 8/5 0 4021/18, 13/8 0 4017/9 0 4017/14, 13/8 0 4013/10, 13/8 0 40
Problem 3
| 166 145 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 24/21, 11/7.
Blue needs to roll forward his prime and not take to many risks. Escaping the back man partway is an obvious choice in this game. Exposing another forward man to a direct shot is not good play allowing another man to be sent back to a stronger home board. But Blue does need to diversify his men to maximize his chances in priming White. The safe alternatives are a bit on the conservative side and could help White in this battle. The slightly riskier play of 13/10, 11/7 exposes this blot to 4 hitting numbers, but does this justify the risk. The risk is not required here with a strong setup. White has no additional builders to attack his home board so I will go for moving up my back man and safety my man on the 11 pt.
Chuck Bower: 7/3*, 6/3.
Blue can play agressively (hitting loose or pointing-on-head)or conservatively (bringing builders into position).Pointing-on-head is going to winmore gammons. It leaves 10 shots but the 26 misses give Blueexcellent chances of making the solid 5-prime. Blue has theupper hand and playing conservatively gives White too manychances of making the advanced anchor and squelching Blue'sgammon chances. Keep fighting.
Neil Kazaross: 24/21, 11/7.
Two choices for me here 1) is 24-21 11/7 and my 2nd choice is 11-7,13-10.I somewhat prefer 24-21 stepping up to escape before more builders come down and not leaving any outfield fly shots. Note that I don't think pointing on the 3 is correct here with those return shots vs a 3 point board.
George Klitsas: 24/21, 11/7.
Blue has a solid position and must play positionally (a play like 7/3* 6/3 would be quite wrong, given the number of return shots - if hit by one of them, Blue could become the underdog in one roll). Hitting lose is not attractive, too, for lack of ammunition. Remain three plays with, admittedly, little difference between them, in equity terms, namely 24/21 11/7, 13/6 and 13/10 11/7. Between them, I prefer 24/21 11/7, which leaves no jokers for White and prepares to escape Blue's back checker.
Laila Leonhardt: 13/10, 11/7.
Perfecting the prime is the goal and bringing more builders to achieve thisis important.The indirect shots that Blue leaves on the 10 point is outweighed by thefact that if hit he will be able to return hit on a 3, which is one of hisunusual numbers from the bar.
Snowie: 24/21, 11/7.
Simple checkers. When ahead in the race, race. Get the back man moving,and get the blot on the 11 point safe. Nothing else is remotely asattractive.
Marty Storer: 13/10, 11/7.
Making the 3 point seems too big, giving a whopping 10return shots and breaking the four-prime. 13/9 6/3* isa straightforward attempt at a five-prime, but it alsoseems too big and blotty against White's stronger board.Magriel's safe-vs-bold criteria say a safe play is best.The reasonable safe plays are 11/7 24/21 and 11/7 13/10.I like 13/10 a little better because of the greaterforward threats and reduced risk of being attacked inWhite's board.
Bob Stringer: 13/10, 11/7.
This is a fine position; a four-point prime and a racing lead. Mystructure doesn't call for attacking, since there's no ammo for itif I want to keep the prime at the same time - and I do, sinceWhite's anchor means I can't blitz him off the board. All thisrules out 6/3,* which risks losing the racing lead while not doingmuch to improve things even if it "works." 13/6 stacks up the 6point while doing nothing to improve my flexibility, so the playhas to be 11/7 plus something. 24/21 gives White something to do,whereas 13/10 gives me three builders aiming at the 4 point. Imuch prefer that to all other plays.
Casper van der Tak: 24/21, 11/7.
Aims to break contact, and safeties another blot. White is not in a good position to attack, so this is a good time to move up. A very close second choice is 13/10 11/7, aiming to build with low risk.
Point on White's head is not so strong - breaks the prime, and the tempo is not very significant.
Kit Woolsey: 24/21, 11/7.
White has the stronger inner board, while I have the better blockade andthe racing lead. This argues for safety and escape over everything else.24/21, 11/7 accomplishes both of these goals, as well as bringing animportant builder to the bar point.
Chris Yep: 24/21, 11/7.
Blue has fewer men back and a weaker board, but a solid prime. White has a stripped 8 point and no additional outfield checkers, but extra checkers on the midpoint waiting to develop. Thematically Blue should clean up his position and try to run his back checker to safety. 24/21 11/7 looks like the natural move. It picks up Blue's outfield blot, creates another builder for the 3 and 4 points, and prepares the back checker to escape at a time when White's front position is stripped (if Blue waits a roll to move up in White's inner board, White may have more builders ready to point on Blue's head). Since Blue has a solid 4-prime, if he can escape his back checker he'll have a good chance of coming home safely.
Summary: Simple is best. The majority of the panel went with blotconservation and racing, which is consistent with the position. I am quiteconfident about this play.
Play Votes Score24/21, 11/7 6 10013/10, 11/7 3 8024/22, 11/7 1 607/3*, 6/3 1 6013/6 0 4011/7, 6/3* 0 40
Problem 4
| 117 101 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 23/22, 12/10.
Escaping is the only thought Blue can consider here. Any other move will put Blue on a losing wicket. I now the other blot is tempting but this will not improve Blues position.
Chuck Bower: 23/22, 12/10.
Over the table I'm sure I would play 23/22, 12/10. Blue is dead without getting his backcheckers out. Well, not quite, since he owns the cube, buthe still needs to get one out. Here's the ace that gets Blueto the edge. The other candidates are merely distractions, inmy simple view, anyway.
Neil Kazaross: 23/22, 12/10.
Nice problem !! I feel that we really need to split 23-22 here so there'sno choice but to play 23-22 12-10. I fear we'll just break too often if we hit with 12-11.
George Klitsas: 23/22, 12/10.
It's much more important to prepare to escape (23/22) than hitting a second checker now (12/11*), so 12/11*/9 is by far the worst play. Between the other two alternatives, I give my vote to 23/22 12/10, trying to win and not to avoid losing. Seemingly, it's out of the question that Blue might lose a gammon if he ends up in a two point game. For them who firmly believe that, I suggest to have a look again in Kit's excellent article in last month's issue, having in mind that in that case and in all probability, Blue's board will be a crushed one.
Laila Leonhardt: 23/22, 12/10.
Escape is only way for Blue to win this game. And there is no escape if youare not at the edge of a prime.Many time you will be faced with the decision Hit or Move up to the edge ofthe prime and each time the correct decision should reveal itself to youjust by trying to look ahead a few rolls.
Snowie: 23/22, 12/10.
Much as I would like to complete the closeout, the problem of escapingmy back me would prove to be too difficult. I simply must use that aceto advance to the edge of his prime and hope he is unable to enter.
Marty Storer: 23/22, 12/10.
If Blue is going to win this game, he'll have to escape.Closing the board now won't get anywhere close to a claimunless Blue rolls 16 or 11 next; if he fails to roll a 1very soon, he'll be in big trouble. Hitting on the 11point is the worst of both worlds, neither closing theboard nor moving to the edge of White's five-prime. Ithink Blue should take this opportunity to start gettingaway. If White stays out, Blue's prospects look a lotbetter than they do after 12/10 2/1. Having come to theedge of White's prime, Blue can afford to close his boardwith a 1 next time. The problem comes when White hits,but even then Blue may re-anchor and fight on.
Bob Stringer: 23/22, 12/10.
Tense moment. Those two back men absolutely have to get out ofthere, and waiting for double 1's is asking for a miracle. Bitethe bullet and split, so one man can jump out with a 6. 21/11*looks the worst, because it gives White all the time in the worldto maintain his prime while mine crunches.
Casper van der Tak: 23/22, 12/10.
Scary, but Blue must prepare to escape with 6s. If Blue does not split, he has very little time to roll two 1s and two 6s. 2/1 12/10 is remotely attractive, since it prevents hit from hitting on the ace; 12/11*/9 should be pretty bad, since Blue will need to rolls 2 1s and 2 6s very quickly while White is not hitting for a few rolls.
Kit Woolsey: 23/22, 12/10.
Escaping is an absolute priority. If I don't move up now, I will have toroll very well to get out. I would rather bet that White is unable toroll an ace next turn than bet that I will roll an ace next turn.
Chris Yep: 23/22, 12/10.
Between 23/22 and 2/1, 23/22 appears to be the more useful ace. Blue desperately needs to escape a checker to avoid crashing, while 69% of the time White will stay on the bar (Blue will then have 1s to make the closed board that he passed up last turn, 6s to escape a checker, and most other numbers to point-shift to make a 5-point board with no blots). Between 23/22 12/10 and 12/11* 11/9, I also prefer 23/22 12/10 (though I'd love to see a more rigorous analysis). My instinct says that Blue is in too much danger of crashing after 12/11*/9 including the ugly 6-5, 6-4, and 6-3 which immediately expose 2 inner board blots. Thus I like 23/22 12/10.
Summary: The unanimous vote of the panel made it clear that the number one priorityis escaping a back checker. The panel knows that aces don't grow on trees.
Play Votes Score23/22, 12/10 11 10012/10, 2/1 0 4012/11*, 11/9 0 40
Problem 5
| 166 153 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 24/23, 17/13.
Do we want to take the man off the 5 pt or not. White has a chance to make it but is not favourite. It is good policy if the downside is not to detrimental to hit the man on the 5 pt. But with a lead this has to be taken into consideration too. Moving up to Whites 5 pt is tempting, but to be hit. I don't think I'll help White and go for the straightforward play of moving up the back man and safetying the 17pt blot.
Chuck Bower: 24/23, 17/13.
My first instinct is to knock White off my 5-point, especiallywith my awkward stack there. However this flys in the face ofthe safe-vs-bold criteria. One back for me; three for White.No anchor for me; anchor for White. One point board for me;two point board for White. Enough?
This looks like a "ya gotta dance with the dice that brung ya"kind of problem. Whose advantage is Blue's single on his 17-point?This gives White a very good 5. Moving up one space duplicates4's but the accomanying 24/20 leaves White good aces and deuces.17/13, 24/23. It's White who wants to pick a fight. Blue's position and roll say "run".
Neil Kazaross: 24/23, 17/13.
Simple plays for simple minds like mine when they are ahead in the raceand haven't thrown a joker. 17-13 24-23 for me. I'll hope for a joker next roll.
George Klitsas: 24/23, 17/13.
With White having the better board, Blue is well advised to avoid hitting loose on his five point. I think that 24/23 17/13 is clear.
Laila Leonhardt: 24/23, 17/13.
Blue has a nice lead in the race and he should try to keep it that way.There is not much sense in hitting loose, chancing more blot exchange withWhite who has more points in his home board and who would welcome thisattack.Aim for getting home and avoid contact if esthetically possible when you areahead in the race.A good way to know if your move is right is to turn the position around andask yourself what you would prefer to happen if you were the opponent.
Snowie: 24/23, 17/13.
White has the stronger board, so why get involved in complications?24/23, 17/13 gets my back checker to where it can see daylight, as wellas getting my other outfield checker safe.
Marty Storer: 24/23, 17/13.
Magriel's safe-vs-bold criteria call for a safe play,of which Blue has exactly one. He maintains a lead inthe race and an advantage in number of checkers back.He has a good chance to enter a race or to play safelywhile waiting for the right opportunity to run, attackor build. White has no big threat, so Blue should beable to afford a weenie play.
Bob Stringer: 17/13, 6/5*.
White's stronger board suggests caution, but I've got to fight forthe 5 point. Also, something's got to be done about that L-shapedstructure on the 6 to 8 points. 6/5* aims to solve both problems,while 17/13 gives a nod to caution, so I'm not being threatenedtwo places at once.
Casper van der Tak: 24/23, 17/13.
Safeties one checker, prepares to escape the other; simple and safe. The safe vs. bold criteria argue against 17/13 6/5*, which is a close second choice.
Kit Woolsey: 24/23, 17/13.
Hitting loose gives White a lot of return shots, and it is White who hasthe stronger board while I have the racing lead. The advance to the 23point prepares to escape as I get everything else safe. This seems to bethe thematic approach here.
Chris Yep: 24/23, 17/13.
Similar to problem 3. Thematically Blue should race. Also note that since White has his 7 point instead of 8 point, moving up (24/23) gives Blue more chances to run the remaining back checker into the outfield next turn. 24/23 17/13 looks best. If Blue had a weaker prime (e.g. just his 6 and 8 points), then fighting it out with 6/5* might be better since Blue would still have difficulty bringing his position home even after having escaped all his back men. This is not the case here though. The extra landing point is significant, so Blue will have significantly better chances to come home safely after escaping all his back men. This is enough to make 24/23 17/13 best in my mind.
Summary: Another lopsided vote. There is a time and a place to fightfor the five point, but this is not the time and place. The panel properlymade the thematic safe play.
Play Votes Score24/23, 17/13 10 10017/13, 6/5* 1 6024/20, 17/16 0 4024/20, 6/5* 0 4013/8 0 4013/9, 6/5* 0 40
Problem 6
| 175 153 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 17/10.
I don't like leaving a blot on Blues 5 pt. removing it would increase the amount of blots, too many I think. Also this would help Blues game position by hitting with a tempo move. Running the back man still leaves the two blots in Blues outerboard without making any pts. With a good lead in the race I don't like the idea of having another man back and losing that lead. As a blot is inevitable I will go for duplicating fours and giving White reduced choices coupled with making some initial blockade.
Chuck Bower: 17/10.
Another big race lead with one back vs. three and a worse homeboard. 17/10 leaves White's 4's duped while going from four blots down to two. This plays does more good things than itscompetitors, as far as I can see. The back checker will haveto fend for himself for a while longer.
Neil Kazaross: 17/10.
Close between 17-10 and 17-11,10-9 but the duplication of 4's (veryoverrated concept) causes me to lean towards 17-10. I don't care for 24-17 leaving all those shots here as the enemy isn't close to priming anything.
George Klitsas: 17/11, 10/9.
It's close between 17/10 and 17/11 10/9. I give the nod to 17/11 10/9, counting one fewer hit.
Laila Leonhardt: 17/10.
Duplicating the 4 that White really would like to roll will put him in adilemma.White will have to choose. To hit or to anchor.And every time you give your opponent a choice there is a chance that he maypick the lesser play.
Snowie: 17/10.
Blot minimizaion, a nice outer board point, duplication of fours. All thesenice things. What else is there?
Marty Storer: 17/10.
I narrow this down to 17/11 10/9 and 17/10. 24/17 leavestoo many shots that blow Blue's advantage away. The 9point is better than the 10 point and 17/10 leaves moreways to hit from the 24 point as well as one more wayto hit at all, but I like the duplication of 4's to hitand anchor, and the better coverage of Blue's innerboard when White misses. Whether it's right or wrong,17/10 is a classic 70's maneuver.
Bob Stringer: 17/11, 10/9.
24/17 puts everyone in play, which I don't especially want sincemy goal is to consolidate a bit. 17/11, 6/5* is much tooaggressive when there are blots all over the place. The 9 point isbetter than the 10, so I give the nod to 10/9 over 17/10.
Casper van der Tak: 17/10.
Again, safe vs. bold criteria argue for playing safe. So either 17/11 10/9, or 17/10. The last one gets the nod since it dupes 4s. for hitting and making the anchor.
Kit Woolsey: 17/10.
I think I have to make either the ten point or the nine point -- the othercandidates are too loose. White need fours to anchor on my five point, soduplication is a serious issue here. That sways me toward making theten point.
Chris Yep: 17/10.
Similar to problem 5. Thematically a quiet, safe move is called for. This narrows the choices to 17/10 and 17/11 10/9. While the 9 point is a slightly better blocking point than the 10 point, I think the duplication of 4s after 17/10 is the more important factor. Therefore I prefer 17/10.
Summary: The panel all followed the blot and shot minimization theme,with the duplication factor causing making the ten point to be thepopular choice. Looks very reasonable.
Play Votes Score17/10 9 10017/11, 10/9 2 7024/17 0 4017/11, 6/5* 0 40
Problem 7
| 176 142 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 22/13.
The blot on Blues 5 pt is left high and dry but he has virtually an effective 5 pt blockade. It is almost certain that Blue will have to recycle this man and White has a superior board. Preparing for this I would go for reconstructing my outer position and await Whites pleasure.
Chuck Bower: 13/8, 9/5.
How much do I want the 5-point? For me that is the key questionto be answered here. If I'm not willing to play 9/5 thenpointing-on-head looks like the move. Of the 9/5 plays, 13/8 leavesfewer shots (20 vs. 23) than 6/1* and doesn't waste a checker.The PoH play wastes TWO checkers. Is trading 20 shots for9 in a complicated position worth putting two checkers (almost)out of play? I'm content holding my 5-9 points against five semitrapped checkers: 13/8, 9/5 and suffer theconsequences of my blots getting hit.
Neil Kazaross: 6/1*, 5/1.
Yuk...where's my 1 or 8 ?..Well we didn't throw one and rather than leave27 shots at our 5 point, I'll make our ace point. BG isn't a beauty contest but I prefer the ace point to my 2nd choice of simply running 22-13.George Klitsas: 22/13.
22/13, better than 13/8 9/5, looks like the winner here. I have only a doubt about 6/1* 5/1. This play could be best, but we are used not to "bury" checkers in similar positions. I will stick to the human play [22/13].
Laila Leonhardt: 6/1*, 5/1.
I like pure play: 'make your points in order, don't kill the checkers.But occasionally it is nice to simply clean up an area and remove that fromyour opponents control.The checker on the acepoint is a 'controller' that gives him flexibility.Both in control of outfield, but also giving the option that he can fallback on a deeper backgame.If there was a chance the game could develop into a prime versus prime gameagain, then I would definitely always advice against making deep points. Inthis position how ever Blue has his prime and wants to get his checkersaround and born in with the least contact with White.
Snowie: 22/13.
Once again, outfield control is the name of the game. White will probablyhit the blot on my five point, but everything else is nailed down andWhite will have to do some fancy rolling to get everybody up and overmy blockade. Other plays leave my position disjointed and give White achance to take over the outfield.
Marty Storer: 22/13.
Making the 1 point is very ugly but should be consideredbecause of White's chance to fan, his several bad come-inrolls, and his stripped and somewhat disjoint 2-5-6-8structure. I still can't stomach it. Making the 5 pointis tempting, but too big, with too many blots and shots nomatter how Blue plays the 5. Blue doesn't want White tostart hitting and flooding the outfield with builders, whichalso play the part of roving assassins. I'd rather bring achecker to safety, taking care of two blots, and making themidpoint which is potentially a lasting asset. Maybe thefour-prime will stand up. Once in a while it quickly turnsinto a five-prime; White misses Blue's 5-point slot with aquarter of his rolls.
Bob Stringer: 22/13.
I'd like to keep that prime. With 5 men back, White could have tomake awkward plays pretty soon. That means I keep the 9 point.6/1*, 5/1 is well worth considering, since I need an inner pointto offset White's much better board. However, that leaves 3 blotscut off from everyone else, which means that if bad things happenthey could end up being *really* bad. 13/8, 5/1* safeties the guyon the midpoint, but *making* the midpoint looks much, muchbetter. It leaves the man on the 5 point exposed, but unless Whiterolls a 4, he'll have to break the 3 or 4 point to hit, and then Imight get into a position to do something with my inner board.
Casper van der Tak: 6/1*, 5/1.
Over the board I would play the cute 13/8 9/5, but making the ace seems better after some more thought. The problem with 13/8 9/5 is that it leaves a lot of shots on the one hand, and that is leaves a blot to clear next turn. Meanwhile, Blue does nothing about his back checkers; in fact, playing 13/8 9/5 isolates them further. Finally, even though the 5-point is useful, breaking the 4 to make it has a cost.
22/13 is a plausible idea, establishing something of an outfield presence. However, it leaves many costly hits.
6/1* 5/1 is very ugly and abandons the attempt at making the 5-point. On the other hand, it has the advantage of being quite safe, grabs the initiative, and provides a tempo to either hit another checker or to move the back checkers up. Bit of a bot move.
Kit Woolsey: 22/13.
In this position the nine point is as good or better than the five point,since it keeps White's checkers on the three point hemmed in. 22/13 is thenatural play, escaping a back checker and locking up a good outfield point.The checker on the five point is sacrificed (maybe), but I can live with that.Making the ace point is too committal for this positional struggle.
Chris Yep: 6/1*, 5/1.
Prematurely dumping checkers behind an anchor or anchors is often wrong, especially when the opponent has a potential backgame, but here the alternatives don't look any better. Since Blue probably won't be able to make the 5 point with spares from his 6 point (if he leaves the 5 point slotted, hoping to roll a 1 to cover next turn, White has 1s, 2s, and 4s to spoil Blue's plans), these spares will often have no place to go but behind the anchors anyway. Thus 6/1* 5/1 is not as weak (in fact I like it best) a move as it would be in a more typical position. Of the moves that hit loose on the ace point, I like 6/1* 5/1 best. Typically once one starts the ace point it's best to just make it, and this position probably isn't an exception.
Of the other two moves to consider, 22/13 makes the midpoint. However in many cases Blue's stacked and stripped position will require him to soon break this newly made midpoint (else break up his front position in a worse manner), so the value of making the midpoint this turn goes down. 13/8 9/5 advances the prime but strands the back men and gives White 5s and 6s to gain 16 pips in the race.
I believe 6/1* 5/1 has several advantages over 22/13 and 13/8 9/5. First it cuts down on White's shots next turn (only 8 shots the midpoint blot). Second, it unstacks the heavy 6 point. Third, and not to be overlooked, it reduces White's chance of securing a third anchor in the future. (Although White's timing is currently bad for a backgame, the option remains open.)
Summary: In a welcome return to the good old days of positionalplay, the majority of the panel eschewed making the ace point. The botshave been leaning toward such impure plays for the last decade, but hereeven Snowie sees that purity and outfield control have the highest priorities..
Play Votes Score22/13 6 1006/1*, 5/1 4 8013/8, 9/5 1 6013/8, 5/1* 0 409/5, 6/1* 0 40
Problem 8
| 127 180 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 24/21, 15/10.
Behind in the race and five men back Blue strangely is in a strong position. Whites forward position is badly situated and two separated blots at the back against a better board. This throw for Blue is less than ideal. Blue is looking to hit more of Whites blots, seal him up and Blue has the cube if necessary. Moving from Whites 4 and 5 pt is wrong as this is causing White a big headache. The forward game is a bit static, lacking in sufficient builders. Therefore Blue needs to bring around builders to continue a fluid game. The men on the 17 pt and the back man will have to be brought round to the forward game. If Blue moves a man from the 17 pt with the 5, bring up the back man with the 3 all Blues men are communicating.
Chuck Bower: 24/21, 20/15.
I just want to say one word to you, just one word. Are youlistening? Outfieldcontrol. It looks to me like Blue shouldconcentrate on hassling White's stragglers coming around thehorseshoe. The double anchor is nice but I think keeping itrequires Blue to sacrifice too much in the next battlefield.Is the checker on the 24-point doing anything useful? With somany checkers back Blue wants every checker working, eithernow or very soon. My second choice is clearing the 20-pointbut the above two observations combined lead me to play 24/21 with 20/15.
Neil Kazaross: 20/17, 20/15.
When in doubt, move forward is a really good motto that has been givenstrength by the bots. My choice here is simply 20-15 20-17 in preference to more backgame oriented plays like 15-10 15-12. I realize that this might be a good position for a backgame with White being so stacked up and that 10/12 doesn't commit us to a backgame, but prefer 15/17.
George Klitsas: 24/21, 15/10.
The name of the game is outfield control, here. That's why, between 15/10 15/12 and 15/10 24/21, I prefer the latter. By keeping the 20 and 21 points, Blue will force White to leave shots (if he's lucky enough to reach the bear-in stage), especially if White rolls too many deuces. Another conceivable move, 20/17 20/15, has the advantage of leaving no blots for White's stranglers and controls better the outfield, but abandons the crucial 20 point, a fact, that White, if he is alert, could exploit by eventually even slotting (!) the point in order to make it. My final word is 24/21 15/10.
Laila Leonhardt: 20/17, 20/15.
Take your pick.Here is a move for every taste, style and strategy.I most definitely swear by the outfield control. Building a prime to containWhite and keeping a solid anchor in White's home board are the 2 priorities.Blue owns the cube, so he should make sure he doesn't risk his position withmany blots or daring hits, but simply make his way to a slow and steadyvictory with control and priming.
Snowie: 24/21, 15/10.
I am way behind in the race, so I would rather not give up one of myanchors in White's board -- I still may need to play some kind of aback game if I am unable to contain White's back checkers. At the same time,I need outfield control, and I would like to go work on improving myoffense if I can. 24/21, 15/10 is the logical play to accomplish these goals.The checker on the 24 point isn't doing me much good -- I want that checkerposied to spring into the outfield while I still keep both anchors. Inthe meantime I threaten to attack White's blot on my five point. It is nodisaster if I am hit, and if White misses I may be able to get somethinggoing.
Marty Storer: 24/21, 15/10.
Blue can play 20/15 20/17, but I have a nagging feelingthat it's premature to give up the double anchor in White'sboard. That leaves 15/10 15/12 and 24/21 15/10. Gettinghit isn't the end of the world, and Blue maintains a verygood two-way game plan whenever White misses. His two-wayplan isn't as powerful if White hits, but it's still there.After 15/10 I like 24/21, to get a back checker moving andminimize shots. But I wouldn't argue too hard against 20/1520/17, which maintains a solid outfield presence and addssome outfield control.
Bob Stringer: 24/21, 15/10.
The 9 point has to stay where it is, since it helps block White'stwo back men or anyone else I may hit. I'm so far behind in therace that I prefer to keep both anchors. Those two points are themain thing about my structure which makes life awkward for White.I can't expect to get anywhere with five men back, though, so it'stime to get the man on the 24 point moving along. That leaves15/10 for the 5, which is just fine. The 15 is the leastinteresting point right now, and if the man on the 10 is hit -well, I was far behind in the race as it was, so that's not a verybig deal.
Casper van der Tak: 24/21, 15/10.
Blue should retain his two anchors, and should prepare to jump his spare checker on the 24 into the outfield. Hence 24/21. 15/10 is then the only way to keep the two anchors. Blue can afford to leave the blots, since his defense is solid.
Kit Woolsey: 20/17, 20/15.
Outfield control is the name of the game. I don't want to be playing abackgame if I can help it, and I have two White checkers back in my board.My problem is that I don't have the ammunition to contain them. Bu bringingtwo checkers into the outfield I get that ammunition ready, as well ascovering the outfield in case White tries to escape. The anchor on White'sfive point is nice, but I don't really need it since I still retain the anchoron his four point.
Chris Yep: 24/21, 15/10.
With a thin outfield presence, I feel Blue needs to keep a decent outfield structure on his side of the board. Thus I eliminate 15/10 9/6 and 9/6 9/4. On the other side of the board, Blue's two anchors are causing White awkwardness, especially since White has 6 checkers on his 6 point. It looks best to keep both anchors. This leaves 3 moves to consider, 24/21 15/10, 15/7, and 15/12 15/10. Since Blue has 12 checkers tied up in the 2 anchors, the 9 point, and his inner board, he only has 3 checkers to maneuver with as he waits for developments. Since these 3 checkers have to do a lot of work, this hints at playing 24/21 15/10 to increase the chance of using the 24-point checker effectively (with a shortage of usable checkers, Blue will often need to get this checker into play), and increasing Blue's overall flexibility. Another feature of 24/21 15/10 is that it connects all 3 spare checkers while 15/7 and 15/12 15/10 do not. 15/12 15/10 might be the worst of these 3 moves since it completely strands Blue's 5 back men.
Summary: The majority of the panel held onto the anchors. I don'tsee it. Isn't the main goal to flood the outfield and prevent White's backmen from escaping? We don't have to commit to a backgame.
Play Votes Score24/21, 15/10 7 10020/17, 20/15 3 8024/21, 20/15 1 6020/12 0 4015/7 0 4015/12, 15/10 0 4015/10, 9/6 0 409/6, 9/4 0 40
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Alan Alsop B/23, 17/16(2) 24/21, 13/8 24/21, 11/7 23/22, 12/10 24/23, 17/13 17/10 22/13 24/21, 15/10Chuck Bower B/23, 8/7(2) 24/21, 13/8 7/3*, 6/3 23/22, 12/10 24/23, 17/13 17/10 13/8, 9/5 24/21, 20/15Neil Kazaross B/24, 17/16(2), 5/4* 24/21, 13/8 24/21, 11/7 23/22, 12/10 24/23, 17/13 17/10 6/1*, 5/1 20/17, 20/15George Klitsas B/23, 8/7(2) 24/21, 13/8 24/21, 11/7 23/22, 12/10 24/23, 17/13 17/11, 10/9 22/13 24/21, 15/10Laila Leonhardt B/24, 8/7(2), 5/4* 21/16, 17/14 13/10, 11/7 23/22, 12/10 24/23, 17/13 17/10 6/1*, 5/1 20/17, 20/15Snowie B/24, 17/16(2), 5/4* 21/13 24/21, 11/7 23/22, 12/10 24/23, 17/13 17/10 22/13 24/21, 15/10Marty Storer B/24, 17/16(2), 5/4* 24/21, 13/8 13/10, 11/7 23/22, 12/10 24/23, 17/13 17/10 22/13 24/21, 15/10Bob Stringer B/23, 17/16(2) 21/13 13/10, 11/7 23/22, 12/10 17/13, 6/5* 17/11, 10/9 22/13 24/21, 15/10Casper van der Tak B/24, 17/16(2), 5/4* 24/21, 13/8 24/21, 11/7 23/22, 12/10 24/23, 17/13 17/10 6/1*, 5/1 24/21, 15/10Kit Woolsey B/24, 8/7(2), 5/4* 24/21, 13/8 24/21, 11/7 23/22, 12/10 24/23, 17/13 17/10 22/13 20/17, 20/15Chris Yep B/24, 8/7(2), 5/4* 24/21, 13/8 24/21, 11/7 23/22, 12/10 24/23, 17/13 17/10 6/1*, 5/1 24/21, 15/10
