150
money game
Blue
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Problem 1
| 148 150 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 9/7, 8/7.
Blue could easily move up from the back, as the threat from White is minimal. Moving down helps in threatening to seal White off which is what I would want to do. Why not start now and make the bar point.
John Bakovic: 24/23, 6/4.
Shows the difference in play between one and two checkers back. With two you would make the bar point and go on. But defending with only one check back maximizing indirect shot on your opponent side of the board and diversifying you checker on you side of the board is call for 24/23 - 6/4 does that.
Chuck Bower: 24/21.
What is White going to do next turn? With a stack on the midpoint,bringing a checker or two into the outfield as builders is his mostlikely play. This means Blue's splitting of the back checkers isthe natural pre-emptive move. 24/23 isn't accompanied by an easy2, and 23/21 is comfortable since White hasfew attackers in place. Throw in the better coverage and advantageof possibly making the 21-point in the future and 24/21 is my choice.
Doug Doub: 24/21.
Blue's most pressing need is to do something with his backmen, so 24-23 looks clear. (Making the bar point at the expense of the 8point would barely be an improvement). After playing 24-23, the two logicalchoices with the deuce are 23-21 and 6-4. We do not need five men on our 6point, and a spare on the 4 point would allow us to point on White with 53,make the 2pt with 42, and the 3pt with 61.
However, I have a slight preference for 23-21. White's stack of men on hismidpoint are looking for a place to go, and the major split to the 21ptmakes it more difficult for them. It also starts a much better anchor, andbrings us closer to escaping completely.
Neil Kazaross: 24/23, 6/4.
There are many choices for this 21. First of all we have toexamine the merits of simply making our bar point. While this may be thebest play, it gives up the 8 point and doesn't address the problem of tryingto catch a 2nd checker or doing something with the front loaded home board.Thus I think that the best play here is to split with 24/23 and then play6/4 to create a new builder. Normally playing 6/4 with the 5 point openisn't such a good idea, but here we have 5 men on our 6 point and we createa new builder which can be used to attack White's blot.
George Klitsas: 9/7, 8/7.
I bet that 99% of the players in a chouette would make the bar point in a second. I would play 9/7 8/7 as well.
Laila Leonhardt: 24/23, 13/11.
With 1 checker back, White already has an advantage this early in the game.You want to force exchange of hits, so you can strengthen your position.Sitting tight on the 24 point is going to end the game very quickly.The inflexibility will soon allow White to double and Blue will have topass.
Snowie: 24/23, 6/4.
Splitting the back checkers is clear. I can't give White an easy unstackof his midpoint. I want to prepare to attack White's lone blot or makenew inner board points, so playing 6/4 with the two looks right. My sixpoint is heavy right now, and this play greatly increases the numberof good rolls I have on my side of the board.
Marty Storer: 24/21.
I don't like making the bar point; I'd rather try to use the menon the 8 and 9 to build the 5 point. But slotting the 5 directly seems toobig,especially because there are few duplications. Splitting seems right. Of thethree splitting plays, 24/23 6/4, 24/23 13/11, and 24/21, I pick 24/21. Idon't like stripping the midpoint and leaving four blots on both fronts.Between 24/21 and 24/23 6/4, I'd rather slot for an advanced anchor andcontrol more of White's outfield.
Bob Stringer: 24/23, 13/11.
I like splitting. I makes it easier to run one of the backcheckers and freezes the checkers on White's 8 point. Also, Whitewants to start unstacking his midpoint, and splitting providesadditional indirect coverage of White's outfield. As for playingthe 2, although it strips the midpoint I distinctly prefer 13/11,since moving up to the 21 point gives White something to shoot at,and 6/4, putting 3 men on the 4 point, almost never appeals to meexcept as a way to bide my time when there's nothing better to do.
Casper van der Tak: 24/21.
I might play 9/7 8/7 over the board, but 24/21 must be better with the pile on the midpoint looking for a place to go. Small splits may also be effective against the stripped 8-point, but after 24/23, no other two than 23/21 looks particularly attractive; 13/11 is a bit loose, 6/4 creates a dilly builder. So 24/21.
Kit Woolsey: 24/21.
Making the bar point doesn't feel right. That just creates a temporaryrestraint against White's back checker when I have more important thingsto do. 24/23, 6/4 is a good possibility, but I prefer the major splitto the enemy four point. White has a pile of checkers on his midpointwhich are looking for a place to land, and covering the landing spots inWhite's outer board as well as threatening to make an advanced anchor lookslike the right idea.
Chris Yep: 24/23, 6/4.
24/23 6/4 is the most balanced play in my opinion. White will be eager to unstack his midpoint in order to build, so splitting (24/23) gives Blue more indirect shots in the outfield. At the same time, splitting is not yet too dangerous for Blue. On the other side of the board, 6/4 looks best as it unstacks the heavy 6 point. 13/11 is also possible as it brings down another builder but has the drawback of stripping the midpoint. Overall I prefer 24/23 6/4.
Summary: The panel clearly rejected making the bar point in favor ofsplitting the back men. It was the two which was in question, andthe bigger split won out over the builder on the four point. This may bea reasonable ppicture of the truth.
Play Votes Score24/21 5 10024/23, 6/4 4 9024/23, 13/11 2 709/7, 8/7 2 7013/10 0 4013/11, 9/8 0 4013/11, 6/5 0 409/7, 8/7 0 40
Problem 2
| 140 159 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 14/3*.
Here the threat is more obvious. Leaving the sanctuary of the 21 pt is not on. Unless Blue makes the poor play of 14/8 13/8 blots are inevitable. I prefer taking away half Whites move and see what happens.
John Bakovic: 14/3*.
Breaking the four-point anchor cannot be correct and staking on the eight point is too passive. So leaves use with hitting the two or three point blotter. Leaving one less blotter and hitting the three looks correct to me.
Chuck Bower: 14/3*.
Blue's anchor means playing safely is unnecessary. Blue's racedeficit and White's supply of builders give Blue even more reasonto sit tight on the 21-point rather than covering the 10-point.Starting the 5-point is a candidate, but hittingWhite in the homeboard diverts White's attention from building his5-point, leaves fewer shots than 10/5, and the 3-point is way betterto own than the 2-point, the alternate hitting site. 14/3* for me.
Doug Doub: 14/3*.
The 'safe' play of 14-8, 13-8 does nothing for Blue, and itleaves ten shots. The major decision is whether to hit or run off theanchor, making the 10pt. We trail in the race, suggesting that we not runat this time, and White would have a number of ways to point on us. Itcould work out, by giving us a better chance of forming a good blockingposition, but it is not appealing.
Between hitting on the 3pt and hitting on the deuce point, the deuce pointleaves six fewer shots. However, if we succeed in making the 3pt, we willhave accomplished enough more, so that it is worth the risk.
Neil Kazaross: 14/3*.
Running looks like suicide here and we're behind in the race as well.Let's look for some kind of offensive play. Hitting both blots and breakingthe 8 point looks too loose so lets look at either 14/3x or 13/2x. 14/3x hasthe most to gain when it works and with White's board not ready yet, I leanslightly towards that play in spite of the extra shots.
George Klitsas: 14/8, 13/8.
21/10 is thematically (behind in the race) and tactically (too many White builders poised on the four point) wrong. If White had the mid, I would probably play 14/8 6/1, in order to keep a spare on my own mid. The fact that White lacks the mid, allows me to play the slightly better 14/8 13/8.
Laila Leonhardt: 14/3*.
It is very tempting to fly off the anchor but much to risky with the loadedpoints of builders in front.That anchor is going to ensure that there is a game till the end.Hitting is going to create flexibility, instead of stacking up the checkersand another consideration is that Blue does mind getting another checkersend back, it might even benefit his flexibility to built an outside primeand contain White.
Snowie: 14/3*.
I'm not breaking my anchor, which would risk getting pounded on. The safe14/8, 13/8 is just too ugly to contemplate, not to mention that it giveWhite his full roll. I'm going to try to get something going withthis mess.
Marty Storer: 14/3*.
No way should Blue abandon the 21 point, trying to race whenbehind,and giving White good attacking chances. Other plays are awkward, so it looksgood to hit loose on the point Blue would rather make. 14/3* doesn't stripanything and keeps all assets. 13/2* keeps more outfield coverage and cutsshots, but strips the midpoint and puts a checker in bad position. 14/3*ought to be better.
Bob Stringer: 14/3*.
This is a crummy roll. At first I was tempted to play 14/10, butright now the anchor is the strongest thing in my position andWhite has a ton of checkers that would love to attack if I breakit up. As it is, White has numerous ways to either hit the blot onthe 10 point, make a point on his side of the board or even makemy bar point. I therefore have to throw him off balance. Thatcalls for hitting him. 14/3* over 13/2* since it starts a betterpoint.
Casper van der Tak: 14/3*.
Blue is going to leave some shots, so we might as well hit something and hope to make a useful point. Entering 6s that do not hit will not play to nicely for White.
Kit Woolsey: 14/3*.
I can't just sit there -- we have to do something. Running a back checkerlooks premature at this point, even though making the 10 point would benice. White has too many attackers. I believe that I can afford torisk a loose hit, since White has no board. Also, the hit prevents Whitefrom making his five point next roll. As long as I am going to take achance, I'll go for the better point with 14/3* at the cost of leaving afew more return shots.
Chris Yep: 14/8, 13/8.
Perhaps a wimpy play in light of Blue's advanced anchor, but I can't bring myself to hit loose (14/3* or 13/2*) which not only dumps a checker deep in Blue's board, but gives White 22 return shots after 14/3* and 16 return shots after 13/2*. 14/8 6/1 puts a checker out of play. 14/8 10/5 and 13/8 10/4 give White a double-direct shot. Finally 21/10 is out of the question. Not only is Blue 8 pips behind in the race after the roll (thus racing is likely to be wrong), but it strands a back man to a possible strong White attack (White has 13 checkers on 4 different points aiming at the checker). With nothing better to do then, I'd play 14/8 13/8. It gives White 10 shots (7s and 8s except 2-2 and 4-4), but if missed, Blue has good chances to start building a prime.
Summary: The panel was very clear in its mandate here on what wouldappear at first to be a pretty complex problem. It is simply a matter ofputting your checkers where they are most functional while preventing theopponent from doing the same.
Play Votes Score14/3* 11 10014/8, 13/8 2 7021/10 0 4014/8, 10/5 0 4014/8, 6/1 0 4013/2* 0 4013/8, 10/4 0 40
Problem 3
| 149 163 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 24/13.
Blue has to decide to either run or slot on the bar pt. If he runs it would even the two sides up. If Blue slots and White hits White can still secure an outside point, strengthening his position. Running for me then.
John Bakovic: 24/18, 13/8.
A lot of good moves here. Running a back checker. Two aggressive hit and slot or split plays. And the action play of splitting and dropping a checker to the eight point. I know from playing Snowie (far two much my wife would said) that the aggressive play of hitting and splitting will win the rollouts, but I still chose the old (Magriel) action play of 24/18, 13/8
Chuck Bower: 24/18, 6/1*.
Blue's better board, race deficit, and more checkers back translateto a bold, mix-it-up, provocative play. 24/18, 13/8 is apossibility but gives White too much freedom to attack or build.After 24/18, 6/1* combines a diversion with a chance to blitz. "Oneback, attack!" once again seems to be an appropriate axiom.
Doug Doub: 24/18, 13/8.
There are a surprising number of reasonable choiceshere. Certainly running all the way cannot be too bad. However, we trail abit in the race, and we already have a stacked midpoint and a stripped 8pt.White's would like to use one of the blots on his 8 or 9 point to combinewith a spare on his 6 point to make an inner point. Stopping on his barpoint will often prevent him from doing so, or make it costly. We might gethit or pointed on, but the gains from our return hits, and the value ofhaving a spare on our 8pt, appear to justify the risk.
Neil Kazaross: 24/18, 6/1*.
Let's play the 6 to the 18 point and look at the 3 plausable 5's, We areslightly behind in the race vs one man back with makes me want to look atmore than the mundane Lover's Leap which lets White improve with nearly allrolls. 13/8 can easily be correct as my 8 point is stripped but I am alwaysweary of giving so many pointing numbers to my opponent even though thisdistracts him from making an inside point. This leads me to stronglyconsider hitting with the 5 ! I'll hate it if I'm double hit in return buthe'll hate his 4 dancing numbers. This exotic play takes away half a rolland going into a blot hitting contest might just be correct when down in therace with a 2 pt board vs a 1 pt board. There's still another play to lookat and that's the blitzing 1x with 7. That leaves far few return shots thanthe hit/split but doesn't yet address the problems of making an anchor orhitting back a 2nd checker. All things considered, I still have no cluewhich of the 3 plays is correct (running looks slightly worse) and will votewith a very small preference for the hit and split24/18 6/1x.
George Klitsas: 24/13.
In similar positions in the early going [two men back against one], especially when behind in the race, 24/18 is always a consideration, and quite often, the best play. Here I will go (against my style) with the old fashioned 24/13, but I expect 24/18 13/8 (the spare is more important than one thinks) to be only slightly inferior.
Laila Leonhardt: 24/13.
We might never know what they call it "lovers leap" but it still is one ofthe greatest escapes ever seen by a checker. It is most often correct to'make a run for it' in the beginning of the game, unless there is primingpoint that can be made with the 6-5.
Snowie: 13/7, 6/1*.
Attack that lone back checker! The loose hit keeps White busy so he can'tmake any new inner board points next roll. Unstacking the heavy midpointand bringing in the new builder to the bar point is also important. I havethe stronger inner board, so attacking is the name of the game.
Marty Storer: 24/18, 6/1*.
This is reminiscent of a lot of GOL discussion of similarpositions. Normally 13/7 13/8, building on the lead in blocking development,would be the first move to consider. But here, White is threatening to extendhis blocking position; against two checkers back that's a strong threat. Inthe old GOL positions White's forward position was less fluid. 24/18 6/1*tries to take advantage of the stronger inner board, improving hittingchances,and gaining a tempo to detract from White's prospects to improve his forwardposition.
Bob Stringer: 13/7, 6/1*.
Every play has something to recommend it - even 24/18, 13/8, sinceit diverts White's attention from all the ways he can make his 4or 5 point. I prefer hitting to throw him off balance. Combiningthat with 13/7 gives me a decent chance to make a four prime evenif he does hit me.
Casper van der Tak: 13/7, 6/1*.
There are four plays that deserve attention: 24/13, 24/18 13/8, 24/18 6/1* and 13/7 6/1*. 24/13 is a bit anti-thematic in this position, because Blue is slightly behind in the race, has the better board currently, while White threatens to build the board. Creating a tactical diversion seems indicated.
24/18 6/1* is one way of creating such a tactical diversion. The main drawback is that entering 6s hit, and that Blue does nothing about the stack on the midpoint.
Compared to 24/18 6/1*, 24/18 13/8 looks more balanced. This also seems better than 24/13, since: (1) Blue has the better board; (2) White has the threat to make home-board points; and (3) Blue has a stripped 8-point. These are all factors that increasing the attractiveness of the split over lover's leap in opening positions.
My preference in this position is 13/7 6/1*, which looks like the tactically strongest play. It keeps White from building his position, and develops Blue position. Attacking against a single checker back, backed up with a stronger board, is often indicated.
Opposition is a factor here - against players that I think are better than I am I would play the split with 13/8, which tends to lead to less complicated positions. But I believe that technically 7 1* is the strongest move available.
Kit Woolsey: 24/18, 13/8.
I believe I am too thin on the six point to justify hitting loose here.My play creates the same diversionary effect of keeping White busy so hecan't make an inner board point next roll. In addition, I fortifymy eight point and unstack my heavy midpoint, which could prove valuablein the future.
Chris Yep: 13/7, 6/1*.
White is about to make a key point, so hitting, 6/1*, looks useful. Blue also has more men back and a stronger board, which are additional incentives for hitting loose. At the same time 13/7 unstacks the midpoint and slots the bar, the missing ingredient for a solid 4-prime. Assuming that Blue hits, I prefer 13/7 6/1* over 24/18 6/1*. Although 24/18 is also useful, White will have many return shots from the bar. Also although 24/18 provokes contact, a blot-hitting contest is less likely than usual to favor Blue since he starts himself with an acepoint blot. For example the sequence Blue 24/18 6/1*, White 6-2 (b/23 13/7*), Blue 6-1 (b/18*) now gives White a chance to hit Blue's acepoint blot which he missed the first time.
Summary: This problem was a four-horse photo. The play whichconcentrated on offense barely won out. Any of the approaches mightwell be right.
Play Votes Score13/7, 6/1* 4 10024/13 3 9024/18, 13/8 3 9024/18, 6/1* 3 9013/8, 13/7 0 40
Problem 4
| 160 160 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 24/18.
Blue has little to threaten White. Moving down has good points but lets White play his game here. I prefer the better move of concentrating Whites attention on the escaping man. Not allowing White to play his own game.
John Bakovic: 13/7.
This looks like a roll you play safe and hope of a better roll next time. I play a simple 13/7. Roll outs seem confirm this. All other roll gives White to many good rolls.
Chuck Bower: 13/7.
The race is close and White's diversity makes any Blue blots quitevulnerable. This looks a good situation to go "noncommital", oneof Robertie's four gameplans in his recent MODERN BACKGAMMON. Ithink forcing things, including any move which splits the backcheckers, just plays into White's strength.
Doug Doub: 13/7.
Nothing is very attractive here. I would like to move theback men, but 24-18 moves to the point that White would most like to make,and he would be in good position to hit. 24-22, 13-9 offers ten fly shots.Making the 4pt is certainly not unreasonable, since our stack on the 6ptreally needs developing, but the 4pt might not be adequate compensation forthe shots. With nothing else jumping out at me, I am falling back on 13-7.It is safe and gives us some additional building potential, depending uponwhat the dice give us next turn.
Neil Kazaross: 13/7.
This one is clear to me. We should simply play 13/7 and awaitdevelopments. White's made 5 point deters me from either making the 4 pointor playing 13/9, 24/22.
George Klitsas: 13/7.
24/22 is thematic but, since 13/9 24/22 leaves too many indirect shots, I will prefer to improve on building potential with the safe 13/7.
Laila Leonhardt: 8/4, 6/4.
Making a nice point and duplicating the 6's that White would need for makinghis bar points, seems to be the most constructive play here, getting anadditional checker back if hit must still be considered better than Whitemaking the bar point.
Snowie: 13/7.
There is no need to do anything rash here. White has the stronger innerboard, but I have the makings of a good blockade. The builder on my barpoint improves my chances of extending that blockade without taking anyundue risks.
Marty Storer: 13/7.
Splitting isn't very attractive; after 24/22, there are no good4's besides 22/18. Coming to the 18 point is really loose against White'sbetter board and triple shot. Making the 4 point is not only a catch-upplay but a very risky one. So 13/7 seems the best of bad choices. It'ssafe and it adds a builder-attacker.
Bob Stringer: 13/7.
I quickly decided on 13/7 and I'm sticking with it, mostly becauseall of the other plays have something off-putting. 24/18 invitesWhite to hit with a decent chance of making his bar point; 24/22,13/9 gives him too many indirect shots; 8/4, 6/4 gives him adirect shot; and 24/22, 6/2* puts a checker on a doofus point withno attack to back it up. 13/7 simply strives to increase myflexibility by bringing down a builder, while waiting forsomething better on my next roll.
Casper van der Tak: 13/7.
Safe and sound, now that White has the better board. Building the 4-point might be and idea if White would have the 4-point instead of the 5-point, because than some duplication would be at work.
Kit Woolsey: 8/4, 6/4.
That stack of checkers on my six point looks awfully ugly. I think it isworth leaving the direct shot in order to unstack the heavy six point andmake a good inner board point. Several of White's sixes play well onthe other side of the board, and 4-3 would otherwise make my five point, sothere is some element of duplication with my play. I can survive being hit,and my position will be a lot stronger if the shot is missed.
Chris Yep: 13/7.
After an early 6-1 to make the bar point, Blue's offense needs some work if he is to continue building. 13/7 is a solid developing move, leaving 0 shots. Due to White's split back men and stronger board, 8/4 6/4, 24/22 13/9, and 24/22 6/2* all leave too many shots with not enough gain. 24/18 starts an advanced anchor, but with White having made the 5 point and having brought down an extra builder, I like 13/7.
Summary: The quiet solid building play scored a clear victory in thepanel's vote. I can well believe that they are right, and that my choiceof making the four point may have been a bit rash.
Play Votes Score13/7 10 1008/4, 6/4 2 7024/18 1 6024/22, 13/9 0 4024/22, 6/2* 0 40
Problem 5
| 145 133 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 24/23, 13/10.
I am not too sure how Blue got into this position with 6 men on the bar pt. What a waste of men. It still might not be the time to move, as Blue needs to move from the back. The better timing is with White, he can play off the midpt. As I do not want to be hit the 3 will have to come from Whites midpt. Moving up has priority over distributing the men on the bar point, coupled with threatening any blot from Whites 8 pt in making a pt.
John Bakovic: 24/23, 13/10.
Blue has to get his back checkers moving right now. There are two plays that do that 24/20 and 24/23, 13/10. The 24/20 plays just leave too much. The second blotter on the 13 points makes this play to risky. That leaves 24/23/13/10. Unstaking the 7 point will have to want.
Chuck Bower: 24/20.
Blue could work on that stack of checkers on the 7-point, but aprime-vs-prime battle looks clearly in White's favor. Blue shouldtake advantage of his current homeboard advantage.Blue's timing is so bad that the back checkers needto be split, so the choice for me is between 24/20 and 24/23,13/10. Again, the timing seems so poor that anything short ofall out feels insufficient to me. White can leisurely move hismidpoint and blot on the 9-point forward, building the 5- and3-points with good rolls. Blue's blot on the midpoint willhave to hang out for another roll, and if hit, might help makethe advanced anchor.
Doug Doub: 24/23, 13/10.
This game is shaping up as a prime vs. prime battle,and our racing lead would put us at a disadvantage. Thus, it is veryimportant to do something with our back men, so that we can free one ofthem, or make a more advanced anchor. 24-23 would give us a direct shot ifWhite makes his 5pt with 43 or 31.
We would like to do something with our stack on the bar point, but that willhave to wait. 7-6 does not address the pressing need of this position.
Neil Kazaross: 24/23, 13/10.
While we have an ugly stack on out bar point and strippage in therest of our home board, I feel that it is more important to get the rear checkers moving. My slight preference is for 24/23, 13/10 vs the riskier 24/20. After the minor split, nothing terrible can happen to us and White needs a joker to close his 5 point while we can work on escaping further or diversify to attempt to lengthen our prime.
George Klitsas: 24/23, 13/10.
24/20, duplicating aces, is interesting and might well be the best play, but I like more 24/23 13/10. After my play, White has only two active builders in order to make his five point and Blue will have decent chances to escape with his back checkers.
Laila Leonhardt: 24/23, 13/10.
Timing is getting shaky, it is important for Blue to get out Dodge wheneverpossible,Blue cannot afford to use his roll to create builders, but should focus atthe lurking disaster- getting caught on the ace point behind a prime
Snowie: 24/23, 13/10.
The split is a must in this priming battle. There will be time to unstackthe bar point later. I need to keep flexible. I don't want to moveto White's five point, since that is the point he wants the most and hewould be willing to give up his eight or bar point in order to point on myhead on his five point. After my play he needs to roll perfectly to make hisfive point in safety.
Marty Storer: 24/20.
Blue can't afford to wait to be trapped. Some split is necessary.White's blocking chances will improve, so the split might as well beto the 20. If Blue hits or anchors, his four-prime will weigh heavily.24/20 is somewhat risky, but the time to do it is when White has atwo-point board and stripped outside points. Blue will have to makean escaping try anyway, and now is the best chance. Second choice isthe compromise 13/10 24/23.
Bob Stringer: 24/23, 13/10.
It's important not to get hit and it's even more important not toget squeezed to death on the 24 point. If I don't split now, I maynever get the chance to do so. The only other possibility with24/23 is 7/4, but that risks the blot on the midpoint. I have noobjective thoughts about 24/20; all I know is that whenever I tryit in a position like this it ends up sticking to my face. Maybesomeone will say that this position is an exception because I havethe stronger board, but the fact remains that it puts a checker on*the* point that White wants to make, and if he makes it he gets aa 5 point prime.
Casper van der Tak: 24/23, 13/10.
The embarrassing position of the spares will remain for one more move - having another checker send back would be bad (but note that some aces would be used to build the 5 instead), and Blue's timing is not as good as White's so he should try to get the back checkers moving while saving the blot on the midpoint as a first priority. Mobilizing the spares on the 7 can wait for a bit.
Kit Woolsey: 24/23, 13/10.
Splitting the back checkers is an absolute must in this sort of primingbattle. I cannot afford to get stuck on White's ace point. Moving up tothe 20 point risks getting pointed on there and attacked. The split tothe 23 point, along with getting the outfield blot safe, looks fine.I can distribute my inner board builders next roll if I am unable toescape a back checker. Meanwhile, it will be difficult for White tomake serious progress with my checker on his two point attacking hisstripped eight point.
Chris Yep: 7/6, 7/4.
This is such an unusual position that I almost thought Blue was moving counter-clockwise instead of clockwise. In that case, I suppose I like 24/21* 6/5 over 8/5 6/5, but I'm very uncertain -- that is itself an interesting problem! Back to the actual position, Blue's huge bar point stack desperately calls out to be developed. I dislike 24/20 as it gives White too many good numbers, e.g. 1s and 4s to conveniently hit, plus other combinations of small numbers to make the 5 point on Blue's head. The significant duplication of 1s (e.g. 4-1, 3-1, and 1-1 make the 5 point) means that Blue should consider leaving the midpoint blot alone if he can make significant gains elsewhere on the board. I think he can -- unstacking (twice) and splitting both seem like significant gains. Thus I like 7/6 7/4 and 24/23 7/4 over 24/23 13/10 and 13/10 7/6. Between 7/6 7/4 and 24/23 7/4, I like 7/6 7/4. Unstacking down to 4 checkers and adding another builder to the prime seems more useful than 24/23. 24/23 leaves 3 blots which may be too many considering that White has 11 checkers in the attack zone.
Summary: There was agreement that the quiet split to the 23 pontwas the route to take. This is quite clear in my mind.
Play Votes Score24/23, 13/10 10 10024/20 2 707/6, 7/4 1 6024/23, 7/4 0 4013/10, 7/6 0 40
Problem 6
| 152 133 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 8/2*, 6/2.
Blue is ahead in the race and a hitting contest is not in his favour. Unfortunately he needs to establish his forward position quickly. Hit to establish the situation now before White makes a strong homeboard.
John Bakovic: 8/2*, 6/2.
This seams like a simple problem. Just make the two point. All the other play leave a direct shot and Whites inner board is too good if hit back.
Chuck Bower: 13/9*, 9/3.
With White's anchor, the 8-point looks too valuable to give up, eitherby pointing-on-head on the 2-point or hitting twice. I don't see theadvantage of shunning the hit either, leaving White lots of hits andsome covers. 13/9*/3 has the usual diversionary advantage and mostof White's hits don't cover in the homeboard since 3's are duplicated.This play feels so natural that I'm wary that I may be missingsomething.
Doug Doub: 13/9, 13/7*.
It is not going to be easy to bring those men on themidpoint home safely, and whatever we do here is going to leave some kind ofshot. Thus, putting White on the bar while he has a blot in his board isappropriate. We could hit twice, but it would break a valuable asset, andleave us VERY vulnerable if things went wrong. I think that the upside ofstarting two good points make it worth the risk. If we can get by the nextturn, we will have made a great deal of progress toward winning the game.
Neil Kazaross: 8/2*, 6/2.
No play is perfectly safe here and noting that all plays have furtherproblems if we get away with them this turn, I'll take the direct approach and point on our 2 point. Perhaps, this will lead to a semi-blitz vs one anchor. I realize that giving up our 8 point can turn out very badly and that 13/3 with or without hitting may be best. I don't care for the 3 blots left by the double hit. I point on him on our two point here.
George Klitsas: 8/2*, 6/2.
White's second blot, and the fact that White's most return-hits will break his anchor and put him in gammon danger, makes 8/2* 6/2 very attractive and this is, actually my play.
Laila Leonhardt: 8/2*, 6/2.
There is a lot of clearing still needed and getting White away from that 2point has to be done at some point.Hitting another checker allowing White to built yet another point would be amistake.
Snowie: 13/9*, 9/3.
Backgammon is about putting your checkers where you want them whilepreventing the bad guy from doing the same. The hit is important eventhough I am ahead in the race, because White wants to swing that outfieldchecker around for board-building purposes. By moving on to the threepoint, I put the checker where it belongs, leave only one blot, keepmy structure, and duplicate White's threes. Making the two point looks goodfor now, but the loss of the eight point will cost in the future.
Marty Storer: 13/9*, 9/3.
This is a very interesting choice. The obvious 8/2* 6/2 suffersfrom much inflexibility. Losing the 8 point is a serious weakness incombination with the stacked midpoint. Sending a fourth checker back isgood for gammon chances; Blue need not much fear White's double anchor,but only being hit. Slotting the 3 duplicates White's covering 3's andtries for a valuable point, at the same time unstacking the midpoint andretaining the useful 8 point.
Bob Stringer: 8/2*, 6/2.
I'm ahead in the race but White has the stronger board, and so theimportant thing is to not get hit. Making the 2 point on White'shead equalizes our inner boards, stops White from doing whateverhe wants with his next roll, and keeps the number of his returnshots down. And if White does hit, it may have to be at the priceof giving up the security of his anchor.
Casper van der Tak: 8/2*, 6/2.
Shot minimization decisive in the end. 13/7 13/9*, in an attempt to develop the bunch of checkers on the midpoint, is a very tempting alternative with the blot on White's three-point, but still - looks to blotty and shotty to me.
Kit Woolsey: 13/7, 7/3.
I'm well ahead in the race, so hitting isn't necessary. Why not leave amere ace shot and keep my structure intact? Making the two point on White's head losesthe important eight point. This loss will be felt as I try to unstack that messof checkers on the midpoint in the next few rolls.
Chris Yep: 8/2*, 6/2.
If Blue is going to move from his midpoint I prefer 13/9*/3. 13/9* 13/7 and 13/9* 8/2* are too loose in light of White's 3-point board. I believe 13/9*/3 is better than 13/3 because it removes White's useful outfield spare (this spare is a link between the back men and the midpoint but more importantly it allows White greater flexibility next turn) and it gains 9 pips. These two gains are enough to overcome the 5 extra shots it leaves (16 shots: 3s, 1-1, 2-1, 4-1). However I prefer 8/2* 6/2 to all these moves. Although it breaks the 8 point and doesn't unstack the midpoint, it only leaves 8 shots instead of 16 (also White will have to break his anchor to hit with 1-4 and 3-4) and creates a 3-point board. If not hit, Blue often has good 2s, 3s, and 5s next turn (if White bounces Blue also has good 4s).
Summary: The majority of the panel plowed ahead making the two point,even though the resulting structure is awful. This doesn't feel right tome. Is my non-hitting play really so bad?
Play Votes Score8/2*, 6/2 8 10013/9*, 9/3 3 7013/9*, 13/7 1 6013/7, 7/3 1 6013/9*, 8/2* 0 40
Problem 7
| 138 147 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 8/2(2).
Another double that is short of a good move. With Whites blockade Blue has to be careful, as he does not want another man back. White has a strong chance in coming down on Blues head on the 21pt. White has a strong position and Blue can only make the 2pt in anticipation of Whites next move.
John Bakovic: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
Three plays to choose from here all two safe plays 8/2(2) and 16/13, 11/8, 11/5 of these two play I like making the two point best, but my play is 16/10, 13/10, 11/8. Leaves an extra blotter but the overly distribution of checkers is much better.
Chuck Bower: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
With one checker back under imminent attack, the tendency is to go assafely as possible, but plays like 16/13, 11/8, 11/5 give up assetsand stack awkwardly. After those plays, even if Blue survives theonslaught, his game has been severely weakened. The 10-point is avaluable acquisition and renders the inefficient 11-point even lessworth keeping. Finally, after 11/8, Blue's hitting fours areduplicated. I'm so allergic to holding points 6 spaces apart that Ioften go overboard in avoiding that structure, but here maybe myinstincts will pay off.
Doug Doub: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
The safe plays are not unreasonable. 8-2(2)would add an inner point, which could be a significant tactically if Whitehits us loose next turn. 11-5, 11-8, 16-13 breaks a reasonable point andleaves a slightly awkward collection of builders.
I like making the 10 point. It would give us 4 out of 6 points in a row,and be six away from the next point in line. Also, the spares that wouldresult would be nicely diversified, and White would have to break his anchorto hit the blot on our 11pt. This must be better than allowing him to hit aslot on our 3pt or 2pt.
Neil Kazaross: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
For me, this is a close choice between 16/10,13/10, 6/3 and16/10,13/10,11/8 but I slightly prefer the more flexible and easier to clean up 16/10,13/10,11/8 as I don't need 4 stripped outfield points with a liability inside our board to cover when we will likely be attacked.
George Klitsas: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
Being behind in the race, blocking points in the outfield have great value, especially the ten point, which also keeps an eye on the four point here. Therefore, despite leaving another blot (but hitting 4's are somewhat duplicated), I think that 16/10 13/10 11/8, is best here.
Laila Leonhardt: 16/10, 13/10, 6/3.
A nice duplication of the deuce that White no doubt use to hit loose with inhome board will allow Blue to create a nice prime and clearing point on theoutside at very little risk. The 4-point prime will always ensure somecontrol if White should start a blitz and Blue gets back in the game.
Snowie: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
The ten point is a better point that the 11 point here, both because itwill be easier to clear and because it bears down on my empty four point.I'm not too worried about leaving the blot on the 11 point -- White hitsat his own risk since a hit would cost him an important anchor. Also, Whitecan use fours to attack on the other side of the board. If I survive this play,my position will be quite comfortable.
Marty Storer: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
The only "safe" play is 16/13 11/8 11/5. That takesa lot of pressure off White, who doesn't want to be restrained. But Bluewants to maintain some restraint. Blue should be able to afford leaving ashot on his 11; points in his own outfield are valuable restraining pointsand bases for building. The 10 point is better than the 11 point, and itattacks the open 4 point. 11/8 duplicates 4's to hit inside, and unstripsthe 8 point to add to future building prospects.
Bob Stringer: 8/2(2).
Another bad roll. I don't like making this play, but unfortunatelyI have to play all four 3's. Since I have to hold my breath andhope that White doesn't demolish the blot on his 5 point, I don'twant another direct shot lying around. 8/2(2) gives up a goodpoint, but it doesn't give up the direct hit, and by strengtheningmy board it increases my chance of weathering White's attack.
Casper van der Tak: 16/10, 13/10, 11/8.
This or the simple 8/2(2); that play has the advantage of leaving less shots, but giving up the 8 in exchange for the 2 is a big concession here. The advantage of the suggested play is the duplication of some 4s, while retaining a strong compact position with building potential.
Kit Woolsey: 16/13, 11/8, 11/5.
The 11 point looks like more of a liability than an asset here. Making theten point is no bargain either. I would wind up with a stripped position.My play solves this problem by clearing these points and bringing inbuilders for the inner board where I need them. The resulting positionwill be a lot more flexible.
Chris Yep: 16/13, 11/8, 11/5.
I don't like 8/2(2) (leaves a very disjointed position), 16/10 13/10(2) (an outside prime is not going to work against the 18-anchor, so breaking the midpoint is too much of a concession), or 16/10 13/10 6/3 (strips just about everything, dumps a checker to the 3 point). 16/10 13/10 11/8 and 16/10 11/8(2) are both solid moves, creating useful builders, but White will probably either hit the outfield blot or attack the back man next turn, so Blue won't be able to use his builders plus Blue has an extra blot to worry about in the cases where White's attack goes well. Instead I believe Blue should play 16/13 11/8 11/5. This leaves only 1 blot, brings spares to the 8 point, and creates future flexibility.
Summary: The majority of the panel was comfortable leaving thedirect shot on the 11 point in order to make the ten point. This isn'tobvious to me at all. Aren't we supposed to be playing safe on theoffensive front when we have a lone back checker which may be gettingattacked next roll?
Play Votes Score16/10, 13/10, 11/8 8 10016/13, 11/8, 11/5 2 708/2(2) 2 7016/10, 13/10, 6/3 1 6016/10, 13/10(2) 0 4016/10, 11/8(2) 0 40
Problem 8
| 142 130 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 8/5, 6/4.
Breaking up Blues real strength the 5pt prime is not good play. Dropping two blots down on the 4 and 3 pt is asking a little too much to cover without being hit. Moving off the back spot is an unwise move. The only logical move is to slot in front of the prime and bring one man up from the 8pt. If hit, Blue still has a good game.
John Bakovic: 8/5, 6/4.
The question here is to slot or not slot the 4 point. My vote is to not too.. 9/7, 8/5 gives you great distribution without giving the direct shot. Breaking from Whites 5 point cannot be correct.
Chuck Bower: 8/3.
5-primes look, feel, and often work so much like 6-primes that Isometimes get lulled into too much of a sense of security. 20/15would be the obvious move if Blue had the 6-prime, but is it righthere? A pure play is 8/5, 6/4 but when White hits with his 14/36chances the resulting situation is very costly to Blue. Not onlydoes White get to start an escaping point, but Blue's entry numbersare often awkward, especially those containing 3's and 4's. Alonganother approach, voluntarily breaking valuable points in contactpositions, especially points in a prime, is almost always wrong.These considerations narrow down Blue's choices.
How about 8/3? Blue would rather make the 4-point, but not asbadly as White would like to own it! The 3-point is decent andallows Blue to roll the (broken) prime by covering 9/3 with a 6 nexttime, for example. If White hits, he's still trapped. This 'tweener'play has a lot going for it, and even though I might not have foundit OTB, I'm voting for it here.
Doug Doub: 8/5, 6/4.
I thought this was the clearest problem of the set. Wehave a limited supply of builders and need to strain to put them where theybelong. I'm not ready to break the 9pt to create more builders. Slottinggives us MANY ways to cover, and keeps five in a row and our anchor intactif we are hit.
Neil Kazaross: 9/7, 8/5.
With out 5 prime not far advanced I feel that White has too much roomto squrim after attacking us if we run 20/15 so that is out of the question. It now looks like a close choice between retaining the 5 prime with 8/5,6/4 or playing the building 8/5,9/7. With White's position looking rather solid I prefer leaving only 4 shots with the building play of 8/5, 9/7.
George Klitsas: 8/5, 6/4.
One more time, "direct road to victory" -or almost!- (and the cube position seems to be in favor of this approach, as well) takes precedence over other considerations and makes 8/5 6/4 my choice. Otherwise, Blue must either break his five point prime (which is bad) or break his anchor on White's five point (which is, simply, out of the question).
Laila Leonhardt: 8/3.
White's 3's play poorly. Putting a blot right where White would want to beand basically risk the whole advantage on White not hitting and coming up tothe edge of the prime, rendering Blue on the bar duplicating his re-attacknumbers doesn't seem even close choice.Leaving the anchor might also be tempting, but again it would leave White achange to hit with some bad numbers and move to edge still with 3s and Blueperhaps on the bar.Sit tight, wait for White's position to fall apart or put you in a positionwhere you'll have to attack.
Snowie: 8/5, 6/4.
Now is the time to try to extend my 5-prime into a 6-prime while I stillhave my anchor. If I make some kind of safe play, the dice might notcooperate in the future and I will either have to lose my prime orrun from the anchor before I am completely set up front. After the slot I amin great shape if White misses, and still in pretty good shape if he hits.
Marty Storer: 8/5, 6/4.
Again reminiscent of an old GOL problem. The five-prime isso valuable that Blue should keep it, even at the cost of letting Whitehit and come to the edge with 14 numbers. Slotting, threatening a fullprime or a rolled-forward five-prime, seems clearly better than 20/15.If White can attack, he'll have time to split and make it hard for Blueto improve the forward position.
Bob Stringer: 8/5, 6/4.
20/15 is unbelievably bad. That anchor has to stay for now, for ifWhite successfully attacks and makes his five point, he'll havegone a long way toward buying the time to escape his two back men.Nor can I see a reason to dismantle the 5 prime. 8/5, 6/4 keepsthings nice and flexible, and starts the next point in order. Theother prime-maintaining plays have less to recommend them. 8/3 hasthe advantage of not allowing White to both hit and get into aposition to escape with a 6, but it's less flexible because bothextra checkers are left on the same point. 6/4, 6/3 is simplybeyond me.
Casper van der Tak: 8/5, 6/4.
With problem 2 the only problem in which I immediately made up my mind. Slotting the next point of the prime, while maintaining the prime and backed up with the anchor - must be the play.
Kit Woolsey: 8/5, 6/4.
It is usually right to make the big slotting play in this sort of position.The gains when it works are huge. If White hits, it is far from the endof the world, and if White misses I will be a big favorite to roll my primeone notch further and perhaps complete the full prime. Completing the fullprime is very important, since with the full prime to back me up I canafford to leave the anchor and it will be very difficult for White toattack and form a counter-prime which he would need to do in order towin frontwards. If I haven't completed a full prime, leaving the anchorwill always be very dangerous.
Chris Yep: 8/5, 6/4.
Blue has a strong 5-prime, but his position is getting a little ahead of itself. In prime vs. prime positions it's often right to play very "purely," i.e. slotting the next point in line. If the slot is hit, the downside is sometimes minimized because the first player can at least slow down his forward movement by staying on the bar awhile. This position isn't really a prime vs. prime position since only Blue has a strong prime. However, some of the same ideas likely apply. Blue has an advanced anchor. If Blue slots the 4 point and is hit, he can at least recirculate the checker and hold his prime. If White anchors on the 21 point, the timing represented by the recirculation will be important. If missed, Blue has a chance to advance his prime forward and decrease his awkwardness. (Right now Blue's position suffers from having front-loaded builders, including a stacked 6 point.) Thus I like 8/5 6/4 (6/4 6/3 is too loose and reduces the number of covers for the 4 point next turn).
Summary: The majority of the panel was quite comfortable with thethematic slot at the edge of the prime. I am confident that this isthe proper approach with this position.
Play Votes Score8/5, 6/4 10 1008/3 2 709/7, 8/5 1 6020/15 0 409/7, 9/6 0 407/4, 6/4 0 406/4, 6/3 0 40
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Alan Alsop 9/7, 8/7 14/3* 24/13 24/18 24/23, 13/10 8/2*, 6/2 8/2(2) 8/5, 6/4John Bakovic 24/23, 6/4 14/3* 24/18, 13/8 13/7 24/23, 13/10 8/2*, 6/2 16/10, 13/10, 11/8 8/5, 6/4Chuck Bower 24/21 14/3* 24/18, 6/1* 13/7 24/20 13/9*, 9/3 16/10, 13/10, 11/8 8/3Doug Doub 24/21 14/3* 24/18, 13/8 13/7 24/23, 13/10 13/9, 13/7* 16/10, 13/10, 11/8 8/5, 6/4Neil Kazaross 24/23, 6/4 14/3* 24/18, 6/1* 13/7 24/23, 13/10 8/2*, 6/2 16/10, 13/10, 11/8 9/7, 8/5George Klitsas 9/7, 8/7 14/8, 13/8 24/13 13/7 24/23, 13/10 8/2*, 6/2 16/10, 13/10, 11/8 8/5, 6/4Laila Leonhardt 24/23, 13/11 14/3* 24/13 8/4, 6/4 24/23, 13/10 8/2*, 6/2 16/10, 13/10, 6/3 8/3Snowie 24/23, 6/4 14/3* 13/7, 6/1* 13/7 24/23, 13/10 13/9*, 9/3 16/10, 13/10, 11/8 8/5, 6/4Marty Storer 24/21 14/3* 24/18, 6/1* 13/7 24/20 13/9*, 9/3 16/10, 13/10, 11/8 8/5, 6/4Bob Stringer 24/23, 13/11 14/3* 13/7, 6/1* 13/7 24/23, 13/10 8/2*, 6/2 8/2(2) 8/5, 6/4Casper van der Tak 24/21 14/3* 13/7, 6/1* 13/7 24/23, 13/10 8/2*, 6/2 16/10, 13/10, 11/8 8/5, 6/4Kit Woolsey 24/21 14/3* 24/18, 13/8 8/4, 6/4 24/23, 13/10 13/7, 7/3 16/13, 11/8, 11/5 8/5, 6/4Chris Yep 24/23, 6/4 14/8, 13/8 13/7, 6/1* 13/7 7/6, 7/4 8/2*, 6/2 16/13, 11/8, 11/5 8/5, 6/4
