Chuck Bower: 24/22, 12/11(2).
Blue needs to respect White's growing prime, so 24/23 appears to be his top priority. After rejecting hitting on the 9-point, which would give a huge number of returns, Blue should realize that White is likely to make the 16-point (Blue's 9-point) in the next couple rolls. That might make clearing the 12-point tricky somoving up now with 12/11(2) is farsighted. The final ace is either6/5 or 23/22. 6/5 doesn't gain all that much, but maybe it'swrong to move 23/22 because it starts the point White really wants.Still, most 8's finish the back of the prime for White, anyway,and staying on the 23-point allows Blue only 6's to escape, atbest. The worst that can happen by moving to the edge is thatBlue gest slapped around for a few rolls. If that scenario comestrue, Blue's 4-prime, large race lead, and reasonable timing will hopefully allow him to survive. I like 23/22 for the last ace.

Malcolm Davis: 24/22, 12/11(2).
Seems trivial. Huge lead in the race. Just escape and win the game.

Ray Fogerlund: 24/22, 12/11(2).
Interesting choices. 12/10 (2) might be thebest play, but it is not listed. 12/9*/8 is also a viable option forcing a 5th White checker behind our 4 prime, while we currently only have one checker behind her prime. If hit, then it could be easier to reach the "launching pad" on the 23 or 22 points. However, a bird in the hand... Why not just step onto the launching pad and bring the two checkers on the 12 point closer to safety?? Note that making the 11 point provides them with 4 free landing spots, instead of just 3. Simple, solid, effective, and more to the point!

Hal Heinrich: 24/22, 6/5, 2/1.
I'm surprised that 12/10(2) wasn't listed as a candidate -- it'scertainly a play I considered. Blue is ahead in the race and has doubled -- so coming up to the edge of the prime is highly indicated.After that, 12/11(2) is reasonable, but 6/5 2/1 gives Blue moreattackers and preseves 3-3 as a bit of a root number for White.

George Klitsas: 24/22, 12/11(2).
24/22 is a must. Although the rest of the move is not as crucial, I have a slight preference for 12/11(2), which leads to a more compact position.

Laila Leonhardt: 24/22, 12/11(2).
It is important that Blue makes any possible move to escape from White'sprime. Blue has only a 4-point prime with no potential to improve (12/10(2)would be short-lived and isn't listed anyway). Blue should try to avoidleaving any shorts since a hit would be likely do sent the recube at himwith very little chance that he will be able to accept.He is ahead in the race, so escaping and running should be his game planhere.

Mads K. Madsen: 24/23, 12/11(2), 6/5.
First thing Blue shall not hit here, that would be asking for adisaster.
Blue's rear checker has to move at least one step. And Blue want to getgood ammunition for the attacking plays so 6/5 is the second 1, and the spare on the 7-point stays it give good flexibility.
This leaves two options for the last two 1's either move up to theprime the 22-point and 2/1 then or 12/11(2).
If Blue move up to the 22-point and 2/1 then Blue will have moreescaping-numbers 6's and 5's next roll, but it also give White more attack possibilities. And White would like to attack on Whites 3-point and thats possible with 5's, 4's, 3's (except 33 which is awkward), 22, 21 and 11 and all 6's take the the 16-point, this means nearly all of Whites rolls play well next roll.
If Blue plays 12/11(2) then not all of White's numbers play well 11,21, 22, 32, 44(is good but still give Blue 9 escape numbers all 5's except 51) and again 33, also White may have to attack on White's 2-point which is not the point White would like to make next. Another aspect is that it is easier to clear the 11-point than the 12-point if White stays on even get the 16-point.

Rob Maier: 24/22, 12/11(2).
I like to bring up the back checker, to give it a better chance of escaping. Playing 12/11(2) brings that point closer to home, and I won't complain if it blocks 2-2 from making a 5 prime as well.

Achim Mueller: 24/23, 12/11(2), 6/5.
This seems to be the most flexible way to play the fouraces. It duplicates Whites 5's and 6's (hitting or making the 16-point?), puts some pressure on White's blots and threatens to escape with the remaining back checker.

Snowie: 24/23, 12/11(2), 6/5.
Escaping the back checker would be nice, but it isn't immediately necessary.Moving up to the 23 point should be sufficient. If I move to the 22 point,I just get attacked on the point White wants most to make. In addition,a builder on the five point is valuable. The action is mostly on my sideof the board, so that is where I want my best structure.

Bob Stringer: 24/22, 7/5
Not going to win until I escape. The longer I wait thebetter White's outfield coverage is going to be, and so now isthe time to position myself to try. Right now, White has so many checkers back that moving up is not as dangerous as it otherwise would be. I'm not sure about 7/5 versus 12/11(2). The latter play makes it easier for those to checkers to come in safely, but hanging back makes it slightly easier for my last checker to escape. That's my main goal, and so I'll keep those men on White's midpoint.

Kit Woolsey: 24/22, 12/11(2).
Getting that back checker out appears to be the number one priority. Movingthe outfield point to the 11 point will make it easier to clear later on.There doesn't appear to be a major benefit from having a new builder on thefive point right now.

Chris Yep: 24/22, 6/5, 2/1.
There doesn't seem to be any urgency to move to the 11 point. Furthermore, I don't see any great difference between having a checker on the 1 point or 2 point. On the other side of the board it's thematically correct for Blue to try to escape. Finally 12/9*/8 looks wrong. Blue only has a 2 point board and an inner board blot compared to White's 3 point board (if Blue didn't have the inner board blot then 12/9*/8 is probably best though). It looks better to concentrate on escaping, while keeping open the possibility of attacking in the future with the right dice rolls. I like 24/22 6/5 2/1, which moves the back checker to the edge of the prime and puts Blue's spares in their best places.

Summary: Up to the edge of the prime had priority over anything else forthe majority. Seems reasonable.

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Problem #8    Play                Votes   Score24/22, 12/11(2)       7      10024/23, 12/11(2), 6/5  3       8024/22, 6/5, 2/1       2       7024/22, 7/5            1       60 12/9*, 9/8            0       40