157
money game
Blue
return to indexReaders Answers
Problem 1
| 147 157 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 13/7(4).
Taking the double sixes through to Blue's 1pt I don't like. Blue is just to stretched. Making the bar pt with two men and bringing two men from the 17 pt.is an improvement but lacking in builders. My preference is to bring down four men to the bar pt. The spare man on the 17 pt will handle any big numbers.
Chuck Bower: 17/5(2).
The safe play that makes the most sense to me is 13/7(4).That leaves decent, but not great distribution. Bluewill likely be leaving shots in the future after that move.17/5(2) grabs the best point but leaves 15 shots. Howbad is Blue's game if those shots get hit? Not that bad.The second advantage of this play is that it gets most ofBlue's checkers to the homeside where they belong, giventhe 10 pip lead in the race. I'll take my chances with the 5-point.
Ilia Guzei: 13/7(4).
After the roll I am 14 pips ahead in the race hence I do not want to leave any blots with the opponent having the better board. I am overextended for a blitz so I will try to consolidate or attack on the next shake.
Neil Kazaross: 13/7(4).
Hmm..how did we give the cube away already !?!..anyhow 13-7(4) looksreally clear here and is safe and with blocking or even blitzing potential. If White runs out with one man, we may trap the other. I think this play is clearly better than any speculative blitzing plays which can blow up badly vs White's nice board.
George Klitsas: 13/7(4).
Blue has rolled his best roll and he must only take care not to overplay it by overextending his position (for example with 13/7(2) 8/2*(2), giving three return shots from the bar to his opponent). The simple 13/7(4) is best in my opinion, creating a 3-point prime with lots of spares, which can be extended with many rolls. Some awkward future rolls (like a 5-2) can be played in relative safety from the 17 point.
Laila Leonhardt: 17/11(2), 13/7(2).
More points often give a better flexibility. The trick to recognize whenthey it could be the better to create multiple less important points againstbuilding the golden point (5 point) is:Does it create any point in the prime?And do the points connect with other points?
It is often wrong to build many stripped points and possibly too far fromeach other, that clearing them becomes a problem in itself. Always lookahead when building points if it looks like you will be clearing against ananchor like in this position. Clearing the 13th point breaking thecommunication between points would indeed put you in a very difficult spotlater on.
Snowie: 13/7(4).
Makes a good point. Safe. Good builder distribution. Could I want more?
Marty Storer: 13/7(4).
I originally picked clear-and-volunteer, but afterlooking at the rest of the problems I decided to make this aMagrielian batch of solutions. I was Magrielian on most of theother problems, so that small-minded hobgoblin, Kong-Sis Tentsy(who was shambling around the Acadian campgrounds) came torecollection. Duh, yup yup yup. Too often I overvalue the bunched6-7-8 structure, but what the heck. Safe-vs.-bold criteria say"safe" here. Salt-of-the-earth-boy wanted, with no flies on.Paulie, I got da cappocoll'!
Bob Stringer: 13/7(4).
For a brief moment I thought this was not a terrific roll in aninflexible position, but once I settled upon a move, it lookedlike a major improvement. White's 3 point board makes it reallydangerous to leave a blot somewhere. 13/1*, 8/2(2)* is good inmany positions, but is terrible here, since if White rolls a 1 I'mhit right away while there's another blot on the 8 point.17/11(2), 13/17(2) and 17/5(2) are ungood because they both leavea direct shot with either no board or one that is weaker thanWhite's. 13/1(2)* is safe for now, but spreads the position to thewinds. 13/7(2), 8/2(2)* gets better, but it leaves an indirectshot, breaks the 8 and still spreads out the position. Dumpingeveryone on the bar point has the down side of leaving stragglerson the 17 point, but that's the worst news. I can easily live withit, now that I'm ahead in the race and threatening to do things inmy inner board.
Casper van der Tak: 13/7(4).
Blue is, after the roll, ahead in the race, and has the advantage in terms of escaped checkers. Blue should build on that advantage, by making a play that will allow to build the forward position, and to create good landing spots to come around the board. White has the better board, and would welcome to exchange hits now or in the near future. From this it follows that any play that leaves direct shots no should be rejected. Second, any semi-blitzing play, say 13/1* (2) should be rejected, since the follow-up is too likely to involve loose hits, while White has the better board.
13/7 (4) is simple and sound, builds the bar, puts builders in place, breaks one of the points that is difficult to clear, and is easy to follow up on. 24 rolls build at least one new point next turn, if I counted right, and only 10 numbers leave a shot (in most cases indirect shots only). Once Blue has made one additional point, it becomes easier and easier to make safe plays and to continue to build.
Kit Woolsey: 13/7(4).
It would be nice to clear the 17 point, but we can't do that without leavinga shot and White's board is strong enough to worry about. The simple 13/7(4)is 100% safe, builds a worthwhile point, and brings builders into positionto continue to build our board while we wait for a lucky roll to clear the 17point. The loss of the midpoint is not severe when we hold the anchor inWhite's outer board.
Chris Yep: 13/7(4).
White's offensive structure (3-point board backed up by the bar point) and Blue's stacked position make attacking plays undesirable. Instead I like 13/7(4), which leaves no shots and leaves Blue with good building potential in the next few turns. Blue has better timing due to his 17-point anchor and has a good chance to eventually clear it safely if needed. I don't think Blue should risk a direct shot with 17/11(2) or 17/5(2). If Blue had the 18-point anchor it might be a closer decision, but the 17-point anchor is significantly easier to clear for two reasons: (1) 3-3 and 6-4 completely clear while 1-1 gets Blue 1 pip closer to clearing, (2) if Blue is forced off the anchor he usually only has to give White one direct shot instead of two. Thus since the 17-point anchor is easier to clear, there is less incentive for Blue to pay now.
Summary: The panel was near unanimous on the solid 13/7(4). When I facedthis problem I did make that play, but was perplexed. Further considerationmakes it clear to me that this is by far the best play.
Play Votes Score13/7(4) 10 10017/5(2) 1 6017/11(2), 13/7(2) 1 6013/1(2)* 0 4013/7(2), 8/2(2)* 0 4013/1*, 8/2(2)* 0 40
Problem 2
| 130 144 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 8/4, 8/3.
Blue's back men are isolated. Running is an option, but exposes Blue to attack. The men on the midpt and 10 pt are more useful where they are. Make points in the homeboard and wait for White to move is probably the better move.
Chuck Bower: 8/4, 8/3.
"Don't be the first one to leave a direct shot in a mutualholding game." In a way, that axiom doesn't apply sinceWhite has already done so, in his homeboard. The two finalistsin my book both involve covering with 8/3. Then either 10/6or 8/4. The former is a bit better if White hits and thelatter a bit better if White misses. Since White is anunderdog to hit (and hitting carries some trepidation forWhite, regardless) I've decided to go for the fast boardbuilding play and slot the 4-point.
Ilia Guzei: 10/6, 8/3.
I am behind in the race and have an anchor, yet after the play I will have the better board so I can volunteer leaving a blot. The opponent�s threes are duplicated. This play diversifies my numbers and leaves many spares with no wasted checkers.
Neil Kazaross: 8/4, 8/3.
Running one man doesn't solve our problems and leaves us somewhatbehind in the race and open to attacking jokers. With that in mind, we need to play on our side of the table. My slight preference is to take a chance to build up our board with 8-3, 8-4 before White's board becomes stronger. 8-3, 10-6 is also reasonable and retains the 8 point rather than the 10 point and clearing the 10 point is safe butperhaps too wimpy. 8-3, 8-4 to strive for a quick 4 point board is my choice.
George Klitsas: 10/6, 10/5.
22/13 is anti-thematic (behind in the race) and setting a �trap� with 10/6 8/3 is the play that might work against a weak opponent that would hit with any three (even a 2-1) but not against a perfect opponent who would hit only if he could conveniently do so.Remains the natural play 10/6 10/5 (my solution), with a decent chance for Blue to win the timing battle.
Laila Leonhardt: 22/13.
To some it may seem a little early and aggressive to start leaping of theanchor and when trailing slightly in the race.But it is a very long race and one thing is for sure if Blue sticks aroundclinging to his anchor. Blue will be stripped from flexibility and will beleaving some painful shots in a few rolls. Owning the cube he doesn't haveto fear being challenged in a tight spot when trying to escape, but nice andeasy he can aim for a bar point (White) - Midpoint (Blue) holding game,where White is going to be forced into leaving a bid shot against Blue'sthen strong home board. No doubt White should go for hitting and blitzingBlue if possible to avoid getting stuck on the bar point.
Snowie: 10/6, 8/3.
I need to put a board together fast. My play makes the three point andgives me good distribution to make the four point. Holding the ten pointisn't particularly important here -- I can't hold everything anyway.
Marty Storer: 8/4, 8/3.
Behind in the race, plenty of contact, White isfrontloaded with a blot in his board. Those factors promptaggression, so Blue should build his board quickly. Blot,schmot.
Bob Stringer: 10/6, 8/3.
I'm behind in the race, so running is not the right plan. Breakingthe 8 point looks bad -- it makes the inner board look good, butthe 8 is a good point to keep, and I don't think I'm going to bekeeping that 10 point much longer anyway. In that connection,timing is important in this position, and it will be easier tomaneuver if the 10 point goes before the 8 does, rather than viceversa. The question in my mind is whether making the 3 point isworth leaving a blot on the 10. I think so. Definitely, in fact.Bringing both checkers from the 10 into the inner board puts me ina position where it may be difficult to make more points, and Imay even have to dump checkers deep into my board in the nearfuture. Leaving a blot on the 10 point doesn't mean I want to behit, but even if I am, I can be thankful that my board isstronger. Also, 3's are duplicated.
Casper van der Tak: 10/6, 8/3.
Behind in the race and holding the cube, Blue should not give up the anchor. It is unlikely that the different pays that do that are far apart; 10/6 8/3 builds another point and creates some flexibility, which is why it is my choice. Hits are not costly for Blue with the White checker on the deuce on the loose. Indeed, White will not hit with all hitting numbers. 10/6 10/5 is probably very close though.
Kit Woolsey: 8/4, 8/3.
Running a back checker is not the right idea. We aren't ahead in the race,and that just risks getting pounded on if White rolls well. We need tobuild up our board without wrecking our position. 8/4, 8/3 is the playwhich puts our checkers where they belong -- making the three point andstarting the four point. After this play, we will havebe in good position to make the four point next turn and have a serious boardto fight with. The blot we leave on the eight point is in no great danger.We have the stronger inner board, White has a blotin his inner board, and White will be breaking his anchor to hit. Thus,White will be hitting at his own risk.
Chris Yep: 10/6, 10/5.
Blue is behind in the race and White has future awkwardness (due to his front-loaded prime and open 4 point) so I believe Blue should stay on his anchor. Also there's no rush to make the 3 point immediately since (1) it doesn't make the next point in line (if Blue could instead cover a blot on his 4 pt., he would have more incentive to do so), (2) White won't be leaving a shot next turn. 8/3 5/1 strips Blue's structure and awkwardly dumps a blot to the ace point while other moves leave an outfield blot giving White a few unnecessary jokers. I like 10/6 10/5, giving Blue a lot of playable spares to make the 3 and 4 points in the next few turns.
Summary: The concensus of the panel was that building up the big boardquickly had priority over safety. The choice of which outer board pointto break appears to be a close decision. The eight point has slightly morelasting value, but starting the four point immediately is very important.
Play Votes Score8/4, 8/3 5 10010/6, 8/3 4 9010/6, 10/5 2 7022/13 1 6010/5, 8/4 0 408/3, 5/1 0 40
Problem 3
| 151 157 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 8/3, 6/3.
Blue is in danger of leaving one to many blots on this move. He wants to make something out of this roll. Running is achieving little, but hitting is a definite plus point but could leave one to many chances for White. I will make my 3 pt.
Chuck Bower: 14/6.
My first instinct in this kind of position is "fight for the5-point." Of the plays that do that, I prefer 14/9, 8/5*which leaves the fewest returns, but still 23. Moving theback checker up doesn't appeal to me since that checker isneither under attack nor close to being primed, and there are too many other things to be concerned about. Making the3-point is a contender, as is the beginner play: 14/6.
The safe-vs-bold criteria lean towards safe here, withonly one checker back. Although Blue will be slightlybehind in the pipcount after 14/6, having only one checkerback is a significant plus in the race. 14/6 has a coupleother small advantages. The 8-point retains a spare. AndWhite will likely have tougher decisions. Hitting opp'sblots is usually an easy decision, especially in a close race.But after 14/6, how should White play his fours, for example?I'm siding with the beginners on this one.
Ilia Guzei: 14/9, 8/5*.
If I do something quiet like making my 3 point, I am likely to have an inferior game: the opponent is aiming at my blot on the 14 point, he can anchor or extend his prime. Essentially, I will be behind in every aspect of the game after his next roll - behind in the race, no anchor, no prime. Thus, I am fighting for my 5 point with 8/5*. He�s got no board, therefore being hit is not fatal. For the 5, 14/9 seems a bit better than 13/8 as it leaves the same number of blots but diversifies my numbers better.
Neil Kazaross: 8/3, 6/3.
It would be nice to hit loose but those plays leave lots of shots andblots. Running leaves two outfield blots and doesn't come close to winning in it works. 14-6 is safe and could easily be right, but I recall being dinged by Snowie for a similar wimpy play in a game from the book with 3 of my matches..so I'll lean towards making our 3 point which leaves us with more going for us if not hit.
George Klitsas: 24/16.
Almost everything has merit here and I am far from sure about the best move. 24/21 14/9 duplicates 4�s but activates 2�s from White�s six point - better than 24/21 13/8 tho. 14/6 looks like the play one could choose if he happened to roll a 4-1 (actually, if he rolled a 4 and his opponent an ace) and played 13/8 at the start of a game- not really bad in equity terms but we�ve learned to make more constructive and less conservative moves in the early going. 14/9 8/5* is better than 13/5* in my opinion (fewer return shots), but uses the last spare from the 8 point and this is a serious drawback, a fact that rends less attractive another candidate as well, namely 8/3 6/3 along with the unthinkable 8/5* 6/1*. Remains a move that one could not even think of, if Blue had another spare on his 8 point and, at the same time, White had another spare on his midpoint. The play I am talking about (my final preference) is the unusual 24/16, exploiting the lack of spares on White�s midpoint (even 6-2, which hits,becomes problematic). A battle of spares.
Laila Leonhardt: 14/9, 8/5*.
Maybe Blue should be happy that he has one back-checker in the outfield, buthe wont be able to sneak his way home and built little towers waiting formagic rolls to appear and save him.No points in either home board, White has an advantage in his small butpotential prime, Time for Blue to grab control of game before he will seethat prime grow longer and stronger
Snowie: 8/3, 6/3.
Assets are assets. 14/6 is too ugly, 13/5* is too loose, and 24/16 justgives White too many good rolls.
Marty Storer: 14/6.
Magriel's criteria call for some safe play. Althoughhe cautions against super-safe plays in the opening, this oneis reasonable. Blue isn't as squeezed for safe moves next timeas it may look. Other moves are decent--I could live with anyof them--but when in doubt I'll favor classic b(B)ackgammon.
Bob Stringer: 8/3, 6/3.
Make a point. I have a nothing board and nothing anywhere else. Idon't want White to make my 5 point, but the odds are that I canworry about that on my next roll. 14/9, 8/5* might be worth a try,but it's speculative, whereas an inner board point is solid. Ididn't even consider 24/16 before I looked at the choices. Whilethat's the kind of move that I've taught (or tried to teach)myself not to overlook, it looks too clever by half in thisnothing position.
Casper van der Tak: 8/3, 6/3.
Assets are� etc. I truly don�t know, something to be said for 13/5*, 24/16 or 14/6 as well. Building the 3 makes a concrete improvement, which is why it is my choice here.
Kit Woolsey: 8/3, 6/3.
14/6 is safe, but we need to start developing. 8/3, 6/3 makes a point andstarts to unstack the heavy six point. White has no new inner board points,so we can survive if we are hit.
Chris Yep: 14/9, 8/5*.
14/6 completely escapes a back man, however it looks too inflexible here. I believe Blue can do better. White's weakly fortified midpoint (he has to strip his midpoint to hit) means 24/16 and 13/5* are strong candidates for example. 8/3 6/3 is also a candidate, but I suspect 13/5* is a little stronger (e.g. after an opening 5-4 played 24/20 13/8, I believe 13/5* is slightly better than 8/3 6/3 with a 5-3; thus I believe it is also slightly better here). I like 14/9 8/5* best of all though. It provides a similar number of direct covers as 13/5* but has the additional benefit of completely escaping the 14 point checker.
Summary: Assets are everything says the panel. That three point isgoing to be around for a long time. It is hard to find fault with thischoice.
Play Votes Score8/3, 6/3 6 10014/9, 8/5* 3 8014/6 2 7024/16 1 6024/21, 14/9 0 4024/21, 13/8 0 4013/5* 0 408/5*, 6/1* 0 40
Problem 4
| 139 146 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 6/5, 6/4.
White with two innerboard blots and Blue behind he can afford to be aggressive. Breaking from the midpt is not to my liking at present. I'll go for unstacking the heavy 6 pt.
Chuck Bower: 6/5, 6/4.
There is no comfortable play here. Trading one point foranother is one thing, but in a situation such as this,breaking the 10-point for no gain is out of the question, IMO.13/10 isn't as bad, but why should Blue be stepping scared.Safe-vs-bold is strongly on the 'bold' side here. White'stwo homeboard blots give Blue the green light. Theprogressive play is to start the two best points in thehomeboard, unstacking the heavy 6-point.
Ilia Guzei: 6/5, 6/4.
I just reread Robertie�s �Modern backgammon� and am allergic to high stacks. This play unstacks the heavy 6 point, puts the checkers where I want them, and exploits White�s vulnerable board. 6/3 does not quite place the checker where I want it while other plays dismantle existing points.
Neil Kazaross: 6/5, 6/4.
Well..it's time to show the kibitzers that I actually still rememberhow to leave blots in the name of purity. 6-5,6-4 stands out as the play here since the alternatives also stink and there's two blots in White's board. I feel this double slot is worth the risk.
George Klitsas: 10/8, 6/5.
Although Blue controls the outfield from the 20 point, I don�t like conceding the midpoint here, therefore I reject both 13/10 and 13/11 6/5. 6/5 6/4 is very tempting because of White�s inner board blots, still too rich for my blood. If Blue was ahead in the race, then 10/8 10/9 would be probably my choice. Being (slightly) behind, Blue must thematically �shuffle� the cards by slotting the five point [from the heavy six point]- but which is the best two in that case? In my opinion, slightly better than 8/6 (which leaves a cramped position) is the more flexible 10/8, despite breaking the 10 point and my solution is 10/8 6/5.
Laila Leonhardt: 6/3.
All the points are nice points.The extra checker on the 8-point is a nice builder.So when you don't want to compromise your position, slip opponent one ofthose at the moment un-useful checkers from a loaded point, that if his willserve as flexibility and if not hit may create a point that will come inhandy along the way.
Snowie: 6/5, 6/4.
Ever since I was born, I have been teaching you humans the dangers ofindiscriminate slotting. There are times when it is right to slot, andwhen these times occur I can slot along with the best of them. This isone of those times. I have an anchor. White has two inner board blots.I have an ugly stack on my six point. White has one back checker whichI need to contain. Everything points to a big play.
Marty Storer: 6/5, 6/4.
Now Magriel's criteria favor a bold play. Unstackingfrom the 6 is too tempting to pass up, even against a fair amountof hit-covers. White is unlikely to hit and cover both, and 12numbers miss. Trading hit for return favors Blue by making itharder for White to enter a race. Alternatives seem far too weenie.
Bob Stringer: 6/3.
I can't see playing anything but 6/3. The race is close, but I'mbehind and the 10 point is the only thing I have on offense.Giving up the 10 point and piling another checker on the 8 pointcan't be right. Breaking the midpoint can't be right either, notwhile I have checkers that may want to escape from the 20 pointsome day -- if I can prevent White's checker from escaping I won'thave to rely on a holding game. 8/5 has the advantage of startinga better point than does 6/3, but it strips the 8 point, which Iwant to keep, and I *must* unpile that 6 point some time. 6/5, 6/4-- what can I say; it looks too wild and crazy, even withduplication of 3's and 4's and White's two blots in his innerboard.
Casper van der Tak: 6/5, 6/4.
All safe vs. bold criteria (number of checkers back, standing in the race, anchor, blots in opponent�s home board) cry out for a bold play, and this is the boldest play I could find to get the spare checkers from the 6 point into play. I do not see the alternative!
Kit Woolsey: 6/5, 6/4.
We have to develop that pile of checkers on the six point -- don't eventhink about 10/9, 10/8. As long as we are leaving one shot, we mightas well leave two and get our checkers where they belong. We have ananchor and White has two inner board blots, so if we are hit we won't bein terrible shape and we will have a chance to hit back.
Chris Yep: 6/5, 6/4.
If there ever were a time to double-slot, this must be it! Blue is behind in the race with more men back, yet has an advanced anchor. White has two inner board blots (making 2-1, 6-3, and 6-4 awkward hitting numbers, while other hitting numbers generally only cover one inner board blot). Also, 6/5 6/4 slots the two best points in Blue's board while unstacking the heavy 6 point. Finally other candidate moves leave an awkward position or break an important point. 13/10 and 13/11 6/5 break the midpoint. 10/9 10/8 and 10/8 6/5 break the 10 point. 8/5 strips the 8 point. 6/3 dumps a checker to the 3 point. Overall I think it worth the risk to slot two key points with 6/5 6/4.
Summary: Twenty years ago, every expert would have found the double-slotwithout hesitation. The bots have taught us to be more cautious with ourslotting, but sometimes the wide open approach is best. It was refreshingto see the large majority of the panel recognized that this was the timeto go back to the eighties.
Play Votes Score6/5, 6/4 9 1006/3 2 7010/8, 6/5 1 6013/10 0 4013/11, 6/5 0 4010/9, 10/8 0 408/5 0 40
Problem 5
| 137 140 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 13/8.
One man back for White and hoping to use his extra men on the 4 and 5 and 7 pts. to build his home board. Blue is fairly ok at the back for now, so I will go for bringing down an extra builder threatening White's escape.
Chuck Bower: 6/1*.
Blue is a bit vulnerable here, with no anchor and Whitehaving builders ready to point-on-head. 6/1* is awkwardbecause it is Blue's last spare on the 6-point, butthematically it still looks right. One back? Attack!
Ilia Guzei: 6/1*.
Everything points to an aggressive play. I am behind in the race with more checkers back and the better board. I do not need to know much else but Blue does have three builders in range for covering. With luck, I can attack White�s blot on the 14 point or anchor up. Hitting also rips White of half the roll preventing him from using his numerous spares for building the board.
Neil Kazaross: 6/1*.
Hmm..lousy roll with White having an array of builders and us havinga 3 point board. While it strips away our builder on the 6 point and doesn't help us in our priming goals, I still think we need to whack White with 6-1x, since he just has too many good things to do if we don't hit. I hit and will enjoy the 25% of the time White dances.
George Klitsas: 22/18, 7/6.
With the better board, Blue can opt for the �action play� 22/18 7/6 - 7/6 looks slightly better than 24/23, which gives White a few more pointing numbers.
Laila Leonhardt: 22/21, 13/9.
It's almost tempting to his loose on the ace point, but the situation is notthat desperate yet. It will get there soon though, so Blue really has tofocus on the duplication. When White makes a good roll, let him pick andwhen he rolls another number let him sweat.If Blue does get pointed on, then he can take the ace point hit in use if heneeds a small break to catch his breath. Will White hit loose on the 4 pointif he cannot cover?That's why you put a checker there,,,,,make him sweat.
Snowie: 6/1*.
I have the bigger board, White has one man back, and White has someserious threats to improve his position. Let's keep White busy sohe can't carry out any of his threats. Who knows -- maybe he'll flunk.
Marty Storer: 6/1*.
I've seen many similar positions where loose hits areright, even an old GOL problem or two. Prime an anchor, attacka blot, people keep saying, and I've been surprised how wellthat simple aphorism holds up. Here Blue's board is strongerand he has more checkers back. (Magriel shows his face again.) Whitehas a threatening stance and Blue doesn't have enough builders fora nasty counterthreat. Blue can stay in the game by making the 22point after being hit, and meanwhile White has 25% bad 'uns. Mysecond choice is 7/3 22/21 to stubbornly never leave a blot on the9 point, while giving decent backwards improvement chances. Botsgenerally hate stepping to the 18 point in similar situations,and I've mostly agreed with them.
Bob Stringer: 13/9, 6/5.
There were better rolls. I'm not doing anything with either backman, since that begs to be swallowed up whole. The reasonableplays come down to either 13/9 plus something or 6/1*, which inthis position looks like an attacking play rather than one thatbides my time. The attack looks too hard to carry off, though, soI go with 13/9. What to play with it? I need to be able to play a5 on my side of the board, since it's blocked on White's side.That makes me leave the checker on the 9 point instead of movingit up to the 8, and so the choice is between 7/6 and 6/5. As uglyas stripping the 6 point looks, it gives me a better chance ofmaking the 4 point, so that's my choice.
Casper van der Tak: 13/8.
Simple and sound, a builder for the 2 and 4 point, and a slot for the 8 in its own right. I do not like any play involving 13/9 and playing the ace elsewhere, since the checker on the 9 only works as a builder for the 4-point, and slotting the 9 is unimportant with the 3-point already made. Anyway, any other ace than 9/8 after 13/9 either hurts the spare distribution (7/6 or 6/5) or makes it easier for White to PoH (22/21, 24/23).
Kit Woolsey: 22/21, 13/9.
This develops on both sides of the board and goes after the best anchor.We have the stronger inner board and White has only one man back, sowe don't mind if White hits loose on his four point. This play willlook bad if White rolls a perfecta to make the four point on our head,but since he has only three builders the odds are against that.
Chris Yep: 13/9, 6/5.
6/1* is a very strong candidate since Blue has the stronger board and White only has one man back. However I think Blue gets better value with a more positional move here. I don't like 22/18 (or 22/21). The 7 point (along with the 4 point) is the next point that White wants to make. Since White has 3 builders aiming at this point he will most likely win the fight for this point. Meanwhile Blue will not be able to develop on the other side of the board. Therefore I think it crucial that Blue balance his position with 13/9. Of all the moves involving 13/9 (including 13/8), 13/9 6/5 stands out for its diversification of numbers -- 1s, 3s, and 5s bear on the open 4 point while 4s and 6s allow him to run a back man.
Summary: Is it really right to sacrifice our last spare on the six point to hit looseon the ace point when we have our bar point made so White's back checker isalready where we want it. I can see the potential need for a tempo play,but I still think this is carrying that theme a bit far.
Play Votes Score6/1* 5 10022/21, 13/9 2 7013/8 2 7013/9, 6/5 2 7022/18, 7/6 1 6024/23, 22/18 0 4024/23, 13/9 0 4013/9, 7/6 0 40
Problem 6
| 73 99 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 12/11*, 8/5.
Hitting is definitely required and to trap as many men in the air as possible because White could have a real chance of wining a running race. White is unlikely to leave a blot in his homeboard for a while. Blue will need to very soon bring men in and leave White an opportunity to expose his back men to Blue's attack. Hence the adventurous move
Chuck Bower: 12/11*, 11/8.
The choice here seems to be: a) get builders in theirbest positions, b) try to get sent back to adjust thetiming, or c) maximizeoutfield shooters. 8/5 looks way too loose. The 5-primeis still pretty valuable. If White doesn't cooperate after 4/1, that's a lost builder. 15/12 only works for one roll, and if White rolls 6-2 or 6-3 it might be betterfor Blue to have moved the builder into place with 11/8,anyway. A tough decision, but I'll just go for the immediate builders.
Ilia Guzei: 15/11*.
Containment is the name of the game. I hit and diversify my numbers in the outfield in case White enters with a 6. If his entering roll is 61 I have enough spares to attack on the 3 point. If he enters with 63 I am glad I have two numbers to hit with. If I am hit with a 62, I just recirculate that checker and use twos to hit him with as 2 is not one of my entering numbers.
Neil Kazaross: 12/11*, 11/8.
Are we hitting or are we going to leave some winning boxes forseveral turns while speculating on the timing that we can squeeze White of the anchor ? Well..I certainly am hitting since 3 men behind a 5 prime don't win very often and still lose some G's and White may enter deep and get squeezed with a 6 later. After hitting I slightly prefer to continue on to the 8 point. 12-11x-8 for me. I feel that not hitting is a BIG blunder here.
George Klitsas: 15/11*.
I don�t see the point of 12/11* 4/1 - Blue needs the spare on the 4 point in order to point White on if he is obliged to break his anchor with a single 6. I see the point of 12/11* 8/5 (better distribution and more ways [6�s and 5�s] for White to be �trapped� in the future), but I am not convinced, especially if I think of jokers (2-6 from the bar) for White or the possibility that he enters on the 3 point from the bar. From the remaining two candidates, 15/11* controls better the outfield and gets my vote.
Laila Leonhardt: 12/11*, 4/1.
'Gammon is the art of timing'
No doubt we need to hit with the ace. Blue very much would like to win agammon here, and best scenario for that is that White is forced of the 3point with a 6, but didn't get that 3rd checker away from the 1 or 2 pointyet.
This can well be a game that will re-circulate many times before the finaloutcome and Blue's main purpose is to keep getting timing for his plan.Slotting both the 1 and 2 point will optimize that chance.
Snowie: 12/11*, 11/8.
Simple play. Hit, and bring the builder into position to cover the twopoint next turn. I don't need to do anything fancy here.
Marty Storer: 15/11*.
I used to analyze similar positions decades ago, andI would 'bout always conclude hitting the third checker was right.It's good insurance against White's 66, and it generally increasesgammon chances; here, White can fail to enter on the 22, thenthe ball can pop loose with some 6, and there are three targetsstaggering around instead of two; yum. I don't like 12/11* 4/1;too antipositional, with slightly more chance of accidents;recirculation equity not worth those drawbacks I don't think.Break the five-point prime, 12/11* 8/5? No, thanks, not quite yet!No double hits nor hit-fans wanted; that two-point boarddeserves some respect.
Bob Stringer: 12/11*, 11/8.
Breaking the 8 point is terrible; there's no reason to make iteasier for White to leap into the outfield. But otherwise I wentaround and around on this one. 4/1 looks clever, and I almostbought it. The idea is that if I'm hit, all I have to do isrecirculate that checker, during which time White may roll a 6before he moves the third checker to my 3 point, thereby giving mea change to close him out. If he comes in on the 3, the positionplays pretty much the same as it would if I hadn't played 4/1. Andif White doesn't immediately enter and hit, both open inner boardpoints will have been started, and so I'll be in a good positionto make one of them. But since 4/1 creates the potential for weirdthings to happen, I'm guessing it increases my gammon chances anddecreases my overall winning chances. Do the increased gammonscompensate for the fewer wins? I can't tell at all, and that's whyI reject it; it's just too much of a shot in the dark. That leavestwo possibilities. 11/8 aims another builder at the 2 point, andthat more than makes up for the neater looking 15/11*.
Casper van der Tak: 12/11*, 8/5.
Kit is protecting everybody against being too clever by not hitting� Not hitting could be motivated by the wish to squeeze White of the anchor, but actually results in less wins and less gammons & backgammons. The proper strategy is to hit, and to hope that White enters on the ace or deuce and is squeezed of his anchor, so that three checkers can be closed out to maximize gammon and backgammon chances.
I think 8/5 after the hit is indicated to squeeze White off with 6s and 5s. Next in line is covering the deuce, and keep the squeeze going.
A key factor behind this play is White�s weak board. If three points would still remain, I would play the more simple 12/11*/8
Kit Woolsey: 12/11, 4/1.
That spare checker on the four point isn't doing us any good there. Itneeds to get into play, either making a new inner board point or recirculatingto help pick up a fleeing checker. Either way, playing 4/1 with theace has to be right. If White rolls an ace we are happy to be hit -- thisgives us more time to execute the squeeze and more checkers in the outfieldto hit an escaping checker.
Chris Yep: 12/11*, 11/8.
Blue is a big favorite to win and could win a lucky gammon if he can trap White off the anchor. 12/11* 8/5 is too aggressive though. Breaking the prime is ok, but leaving 3 outfield blots and one inner board blot risks way too much. I have a hard time differentiating between the other 3 moves. However since White still has reasonable winning chances and Blue has a lot of work to do to close out 2 or more checkers, I slightly favor a more conservative approach. Thus I prefer 15/11* and 12/11*/8. 15/11* has the advantage of immediately getting two checkers bearing on the 9 point (Blue gains if White immediately rolls 1-6, 2-6, or 3-6 from the bar), but 12/11*/8 (my choice) has the advantage of keeping a checker back on the 15 (Blue will keep this checker in the outfield for a few turns if convenient), which is better for containment in the long-term.
Summary: Maybe this play isn't such a big deal. Still, the propertechnique for carrying out a squeeze while avoiding a disaster if theopponent hops out can be important. I can't believe it is right tosacrifice one of our precious outfield checkers so soon.
Play Votes Score12/11*, 11/8 5 10015/11* 3 8012/11*, 8/5 2 7012/11*, 4/1 2 70
Problem 7
| 145 151 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 24/23, 11/8.
Blue has got to start moving his back men now. Moving up both, with a man left on the 11 pt is offering White too many hit moves. Hitting on the 3 pt combined with moving up also exposes Blue. Making the 5 pt has merit, but also the same scenario. Safety and bring up the man on the 11 pt. An additional builder and move up the back man to the 23 pt. has my vote.
Chuck Bower: 24/23, 24/21.
Blue's sorespot is his blocked back checkers. Now is agood time to begin to alleviate that, but how far shouldhe go? 24/23 doesn't seem to go far enough. White'shomeside is not overflowing with builders at the momentwhich pushes me to like the double split here. Even ifBlue never anchors up he has the alternatives of runningout after the double split, something that can't be said for a play which leaves a checker on the 24-point.
Ilia Guzei: 24/23, 11/8.
Despite the desire to make the 5 point I am splitting. The problem with my position is that I can die a slow death if I don�t get the back checkers moving soon. My opponent has split his checkers so it�s imperative for me to also split while he�s short on builders. If I am splitting to the 23 point, the point he�s not as eager to make, then the natural three is to safety the blot off the 11 point. Making the 5 point exposes a checker to fives, 41, and 61 - 15 shots. White�s 2�s allow him to anchor while 64 hits. Additionally, there is another blot of mine on the 11 point. Given that being hit is not fatal why fall further behind?
Neil Kazaross: 24/23, 11/8.
It would be nice to make our 5 point but I don't want to leave a 5shot and break our 8 point to do it. Thus I'll look for another play and 24-23 looks like my ace. For the 3, I think 11-8 is best and retains attacking chances and priming chances. 24-21 with 24-23 simply leaves White too many jokers. My choice is 24-23 11-8.
George Klitsas: 24/23, 24/21.
Hitting on the 3 point is not advisable, since Blue has the worst of it in inner board strength. Making the five point, leaves a direct shot and the back checkers blocked by White�s bar point. Blue must activate both of his back checkers now, when White has no ammo and the best move is 24/21 24/23.
Laila Leonhardt: 24/23, 11/8.
1 blot ok,,,2 blots sure, 3 blots ....hmm now it is getting a little daring.Splitting the back checkers is going to give Blue a chance to establish aforward anchor but also gives Blue a nice outfield control. Being able tohit your opponent indirect is half the battle because you opponent now hasto constantly watch his moves and make sure he doesn't throw away the gameby one long-distance hit.
Playing 11-8 is not eliminating a builder, it will work fine from the 8point also, but it is bringing a checker to safety and making sure thatthose rolls that would hit now are less attractive numbers for White.
Snowie: 24/23, 11/8.
The five point would be nice, but the combination of the direct shot onmy eight point and the two checkers crammed back on White's ace point istoo much. I need to get those back men moving. Moving both of themis too risky. White has the stronger board, and I still have the bloton my 11 point to worry about. It is better to clean up that blot andsplit. This doesn't give White so much to shoot at, and I will probably beable to play my next roll decently since my distribution will be good.
Marty Storer: 24/23, 24/21.
Difficult, but OK, come and get me. It's the old11-point builder against the 24-22 split. Hitting on the 3 seems alittle weak given the deficit in inside points made. 11/8 24/23seems too weenie; making the 5 (second choice) seems a bit too big.The split gains plenty if it works, and it has a very good chance to.
Bob Stringer: 24/23, 11/8.
The back men really have to get out of there. Although the fivepoint is the five point, I can't see exposing a blot on the 8point while my back men are in danger of being stuck on the 24point forever. 24/21, 11/10 leaves a man exposed to a fly shot atthe same time that I've moved one of the back men into jeopardy,so that's out. 24/23, 6/3* presents the same problem. And 24/23,24/21 has to be rejected on general principle -- I'm not going tomove up *both* back men when White has the stronger board and Ihave a blot in the outfield. That leaves 24/23, 11/8, which makesthe safest split and moves the outfield checker into a position todo some good.
Casper van der Tak: 24/23, 11/8.
The temptation is to play 24/21 24/23, but that is too loose, checkers exposed at both sides of the board while White�s board is stronger. Whit would love to hit loose, and Blue needs to tread more cautiously. Two plays stand out: 24/23 11/8 and 8/5 6/5. I think making the 5 is a shade to big a play (18 hits, if I am right, and all of them very costly), so I would go for the quiet approach of a minor split combined with putting a blot safe in a good place.
Kit Woolsey: 24/23, 24/21.
White has made his bar point, which means that a checker on his ace point ishemmed in. We have rolled the roll to get off that ace point completely,and we should take advantage of it. White doesn't have much ammunitionto attack us yet, but if we hang back too long the builders will becoming down from the midpoint and then advancing the back checkers maybe too dangerous.
Chris Yep: 24/23, 11/8.
It looks like 24/23 24/21 dominates 24/21 11/10. 24/23 24/21 gives White fewer indirect shots at the outfield blot (5 shots instead of 8 shots) and the placement of the back men (23,21 vs. 24,21) is also probably better. Having eliminated 24/21 11/10, the remaining 4 moves all look good. I have a slight preference for 24/23 11/8, which best balances the position in my opinion. 11/8 gives Blue a compact front position of 11 checkers. It gives White no outfield shots and moves the outfield checker to a better location. On the other side of the board, although Blue doesn't split to the 21 point, he at least splits to the 23 point. If Blue can make the 23-point anchor he'll have made a significant gain since White no longer owns the 8 point (6 away from a 23-point anchor).
Summary: The entire panel recognized the importance of avoidinggetting stuck on the 24 point. The only issue was whether to move bothback checkers or safety the blot on the 11 point. This looks to be apretty close decision.
Play Votes Score24/23, 11/8 8 10024/23, 24/21 4 8024/23, 6/3* 0 4024/21, 11/10 0 408/5, 6/5 0 40
Problem 8
| 141 158 | White money game Blue |
Alan Alsop: 24/20, 6/5.
Hitting White has no merit at all. White will unstack his men soon, make points in his homeboard and this would probably evolve hitting. Blue has a reasonable position and is blocking White's escape. Making White's 5 pt and slotting on Blue's 4 pt is the standard play I prefer.
Chuck Bower: 24/20, 5/4.
I narrow it down to two choices: try to set up forsending a secondWhite checker back with the sloppy looking 24/23, 6/2*, orgo pure with 24/20, 5/4. My first inclination was to slashaway, but the pure play is so solid I settled for that. Idon't see how you figure something like this out OtB. Youjust have to go with your instincts. Right now I'm in apure mood.
Ilia Guzei: 24/20, 5/4.
While something can be said for attacking with the stronger board and more checkers back this position is different. Naturally, I want to anchor up and then look for the best ace. 5/4 duplicates White�s 2�s and puts a checker where I want it. The anchor protects me against bad sequences and now I can concentrate on containing White�s back runner.
Neil Kazaross: 24/20, 5/4.
I don't care for a loose hit with only 8 men in the zone when wehave constructive plays available. I like grabbing our 20 point and slotting our 4 duping 2's. If it were GG I'd go for it by making our 4 point, but don't think that's correct for money as it leaves jokers and 24-20, 5-4 looks fine.
George Klitsas: 8/4, 5/4.
Being behind in the race, Blue must try to lead the game to tactical paths, starting with making a third inner point (8/4 5/4). White needs a joker (6-2 or 6-4 or 1-1) to �punish� Blue for his arrogance.
Laila Leonhardt: 24/23, 6/2*.
Not ready to give up a good fight for a comfy advanced anchor and behind inthe race position just yet.Blue has a better home board and White is fragile. 3 towers of checkers, noflexibility and 2 blots that can get in trouble, maybe even blitzed. Bluehas time to grab an anchor later on if this plan fails.
Snowie: 24/20, 5/4.
I'm not going home without the anchor on White's five point. That is toogood to pass up. Having made the anchor, 6/5 with the ace is too ugly.I can afford to slot with 5/4. I'm not in much danger, and as a bonusWhite's twos are duplicated. Simply a matter of putting my checkers wherethey belong.
Marty Storer: 8/4, 5/4.
Snarl, Blue should pay off to 62 and 64, I think.Making the 20 takes too much pressure off given White's playagainst the stripped 8 point. Again with the safe-vs.-boldbusiness? It looks that way; the three-point board and White'sfewer checkers back plus inside blot makes you think so, eh?My second choice is 13/8, boldly increasing pressure and keepingplenty of contact, but safely and unfortunately not improving theboard yet.
Bob Stringer: 13/8.
I see two reasonable ideas -- making the 20 point or playing 13/9plus something. 20/15 is out, since it doesn't aim to improveanything -- it just runs when I'm behind in the race, and itdoesn't even duplicate numbers. 8/4, 5/4 also is out, since the 8point is blocking White's last back man. And 24/23, 6/2* is outbecause there's not enough ammo for an attack, and once I have ablot deep in my board on the 2 point I'll have to cover it,leaving me with too loose of a position, given the lack of anattack. So, do I like making the 20 point? I'm never sure in aposition like this, since it takes the pressure off White's blotin the inner board and leaves him with only one worry -- escapinghis last man. Making a solid point like the 20 still isn'tunreasonable, but I also have to do something with the 1. I don'tlike slotting and giving White a direct shot just for the sake ofamusement, which means that the 1 has to be played to the 4 point.Unless the 13/9 plays both have comparable downsides, 5/4 is tooinflexible, especially since I'd like to contain White's last manif I can. So then, is it better to play 13/9 with 24/23 or to keepgoing with 13/8? I like 13/8. It's no less flexible than 13/9,since I'm going to keep the 8 point anyway, so why move thechecker on the 24 point up an extra inch when it's fine where itis? The final decision then comes down to 13/8 versus 24/20, 5/4.I don't see anything not to like about 13/8, certainly not tocompare with playing 5/4 when I'm down in the race, and so 13/8wins fairly easily.
Casper van der Tak: 24/20, 5/4.
Lots of possibilities here. What is clear is that it would be nice to make some concrete asset. Building the 4 trades in one asset (the 8) for another (the 4), and hence does not do much to improve Blue�s position. 24/20 creates a new asset; 5/4 than utilizes White�s temporary weakness to go after the next.
The temptation is not to move up from the 24 in expectation of future shots at the blot on 4, but White is a solid favorite to cover, and Blue may not get the anchor afterwards.
Kit Woolsey: 13/8.
How vital is it to make the advanced anchor? Not particularly vital here, Idon't think. White has no board at all. Making the anchor would be fine,but the ace is ugly. Instead, I think it is better to improve ourdistribution. 13/8 gets a badly needed builder on the eight point,unstacks the heavy midpoint, keeps the rest of our builders poisedperfectly, and continues to harass White's blot on his four point. I believethese plusses make up for the missed anchor.
Chris Yep: 13/8.
20/15 looks like the wrong idea. Although it makes it harder for White to escape his back man, the 20 point is an ideal location for Blue's back man. It gives Blue the option of making the 20 point anchor in the future (or now) and completely covers White outfield. 6/2* also looks wrong since Blue is short of attack material. 8/4 5/4 breaks Blue's 8 point, a key concession since White would otherwise have bad 6s. Should Blue make the anchor with 24/20 6/5 or 24/20 5/4 (the latter is probably better because it slots the next point in line and White has few hit and cover numbers)? It's not clear to me that he should; due to White's stacked position Blue's 24-point checker is still serving a useful role. Instead I think Blue should play 13/8. It unstacks his midpoint and strengthens his 8 point, giving him some much needed outfield structure. This appears to give Blue the most options for the future: priming (with spares on the 5, 6, 8, and midpoint, Blue has a lot of point-making rolls next turn), attacking (Blue now has 9 checkers in the attack zone), and holding games are all quite playable from here.
Summary: It was close, but the majority of the panel went after the anchor. Understandablein most positions, but I'm not convinced that is the right theme here.
Play Votes Score24/20, 5/4 5 10013/8 3 808/4, 5/4 2 7024/20, 6/5 1 6024/23, 6/2* 1 6024/23, 13/9 0 4020/15 0 40
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Alan Alsop 13/7(4) 8/4, 8/3 8/3, 6/3 6/5, 6/4 13/8 12/11*, 8/5 24/23, 11/8 24/20, 6/5Chuck Bower 17/5(2) 8/4, 8/3 14/6 6/5, 6/4 6/1* 12/11*, 11/8 24/23, 24/21 24/20, 5/4Ilia Guzei 13/7(4) 10/6, 8/3 14/9, 8/5* 6/5, 6/4 6/1* 15/11* 24/23, 11/8 24/20, 5/4Neil Kazaross 13/7(4) 8/4, 8/3 8/3, 6/3 6/5, 6/4 6/1* 12/11*, 11/8 24/23, 11/8 24/20, 5/4George Klitsas 13/7(4) 10/6, 10/5 24/16 10/8, 6/5 22/18, 7/6 15/11* 24/23, 24/21 8/4, 5/4Laila Leonhardt 17/11(2), 13/7(2) 22/13 14/9, 8/5* 6/3 22/21, 13/9 12/11*, 4/1 24/23, 11/8 24/23, 6/2*Snowie 13/7(4) 10/6, 8/3 8/3, 6/3 6/5, 6/4 6/1* 12/11*, 11/8 24/23, 11/8 24/20, 5/4Marty Storer 13/7(4) 8/4, 8/3 14/6 6/5, 6/4 6/1* 15/11* 24/23, 24/21 8/4, 5/4Bob Stringer 13/7(4) 10/6, 8/3 8/3, 6/3 6/3 13/9, 6/5 12/11*, 11/8 24/23, 11/8 13/8Casper van der Tak 13/7(4) 10/6, 8/3 8/3, 6/3 6/5, 6/4 13/8 12/11*, 8/5 24/23, 11/8 24/20, 5/4Kit Woolsey 13/7(4) 8/4, 8/3 8/3, 6/3 6/5, 6/4 22/21, 13/9 12/11*, 4/1 24/23, 24/21 13/8Chris Yep 13/7(4) 10/6, 10/5 14/9, 8/5* 6/5, 6/4 13/9, 6/5 12/11*, 11/8 24/23, 11/8 13/8
