| 116 143 |                          | White money game Blue |
Problem #7 Play Votes Score13/10, 13/8 5 10011/8, 7/2* 2 706/1, 4/1 2 7011/6, 7/4 1 6011/8, 11/6 0 408/3, 6/3 0 40
Chuck Bower: 11/8, 7/2*.
The apparent safest play is 11/6, 7/4, but onespare on the 4-point is already too many. Behind so far in the race, tiptoing into an ugly position is not a winninggameplan. White's homeboard blot means risks aren't thatrisky. If I'm going to leave a blot, I might as well inflict some pain with it.
George Klitsas: 11/6, 7/4.
Despite the duplication of 5�s, if Blue leaves the blot on his bar point and the ugliness of the resulting position after the �safe play� of 11/6 7/4, 11/6 7/4 is my choice. With a little luck, Blue�s semi-buried checkers will find a place on earth and Blue might end up even winning the race.
Snowie: 13/10, 13/8.
The bar point is the point I need to contain White's back checker, andcontaining that checker is the game plan. I don't need the midpointfor anything, particularly since I have the 11 point to monitor my outer board.Therefore, it is best to bring down the builders and hope that Whiteis unable to hit.
Marty Storer: 6/1, 4/1.
This gives a decent chance either to attackthe blot or block it in preparation for attacking. IfWhite hits, the three-point board makes return shotsmore valuable. I think it's close between 6/1 4/1 and7/2* 11/8, which attacks before White can cover.
Bob Stringer: 6/1, 4/1.
Things look dangerous here. White has both the stronger board and thebetter structure, so I don't feel like dropping a second blot onto theboard with something like 13/10, 13/8. 11/8, 11/6 looks plausible, butthe 11 point is too good a point in this position to give it up.Although it thins out my position, I go with making the ace point inorder to equalize the strength of our respective boards.
Casper van der Tak: 13/10, 13/8.
This keeps the checkers in place for making the best blocking points (7-point, 5-point). Other plays do not have the potential for long term containment of White�s last back checker and either give up builders or useful points. 13/8 13/10 seems pretty clear here.
Steve Wood: 13/10, 13/8.
I wanted to make my bar or 5-point to trap white's back checker, but can't. I'll have to do it next roll and accordingly play 13/10 13/8.
Kit Woolsey: 11/8, 7/2*.
I think it is necessary to attempt to do some damage to White's backchecker while I have the chance. If I am hit back I may have a shotat the blot on White's two point, and if I am not hit back there isa possibility of carrying out an attack. Since none of the alternativesare particularly appealing anyway, hit and hope for the best.
Chris Yep: 13/10, 13/8.
Blue is way behind in the race, has more men back then White, and has an advanced anchor. White has a slightly stronger board, but also has an inner board blot. These factors point toward Blue making a bold move. Safe moves like 11/6 7/4 should be quickly discarded. Blue can attack (11/8 7/2*) but only at the expense of breaking his useful 11 point. Since Blue currently only has a 2 point board, it looks better to try a different approach. I like 13/10 13/8. The bar point is key to this position. If Blue can make the bar point, he'll have a 4-prime in front of White's back man. At the same time he'll retain both priming and attacking potential. 13/10 13/8 increases Blue's chances of successfully making the bar point (or the 5 point) or attacking next turn.
Summary: The panel was strong in the bring the builders down theme.The approach makes sense, but I thought the idea was to prevent Whitefrom escaping with one roll when he has one man back and is ahead inthe race. Perhaps this position is an exception.