[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums

An unappetizing menu of choices

Posted By: Daniel Murphy
Date: Saturday, 23 June 2012, at 6:43 p.m.

In Response To: An unappetizing menu of choices (Timothy Chow)

I didn't say any play achieves "all" objectives, but 6/2 6/1 looks best to me. What did Blue play?

If Blue plays 22/18 Blue has to play 18/13. Blue can't leave that checker hanging on the bar point. Even after 18/13 Blue's position sucks with no anchor, two blots in one home board and one in the other. 26/36 or so numbers attack, a couple others make the bar point, a couple others run the back checker.

If Blue plays 13/9, 8/3 leaving two blots is awful, 9/4 buries a checker and leaves more shots and leaves the blot in a less useful position if missed than 13/8.

If Blue plays 8/4, you can play 8/3 or 6/1. Neither looks very good, but I think 8/3 is worth two extra shots, since it keeps the 6 point, leaves 3 checkers bearing on the 2 and 1 points, and doesn't duplicate your 2's to cover and advance the backmost checker.

If Blue plays 6/2, then 6/1 is clear. Blue remakes a 3 point board, the 2 is slotted, 6's cover, and Blue has left no blots.

I'd make that play, 6/2 6/1. Of the others, the only one that seems reasonable is 13/8 13/9, and I suppose Blue could hope to attack with 3's and 4's and make a 4 prime, except that 30/36 of the time the White blot isn't going to be there to attack next turn. Of the 6/36 numbers that are blocked by Blue's broken two-prime, 3-3, 1-1 and 2-1 play just fine elsewhere. Of course, Blue can also hope for White to leave without hitting, and then slot and make the 5 point (and 2 point). But I really don't think that Blue wants to be sent to the bar 1/3 of the time.

With regard to the objectives I mentioned, 6/2 6/1 keeps the anchor, keeps some outfield control from the 13 point, keeps the 8 point, and leaves no additional blots. The last one had to do with burying checkers. But if you must bury checkers (and I think you do, since I wouldn't play 13/9 13/8), 6/2 6/1 is better than 8/4 8/3 or 13/4. The ace point blot is a liability (you can see that it's making a White attack on the 22 point, if you run, more powerful) and needs to be covered. 6/1 does that. 6/2 slots a point Blue will want to make, and Blue can make it with 5-1 4-2 and 3-3, or switch points with 4-1 8/4 3/2. Or switch with 6-1 24/18 3/2, or 2-1 24/22 3/2, etc. The obvious problem with 6/2 6/1 is that it gives up the 6 point. But even with that point, Blue's position is not strong enough to make much use of it.

If Blue didn't have that blot on the ace point, for instance by moving the spare from the 8 point to the ace point, then 6/1 obviously gains nothing, and 22/13 would stand out as the play to make, since it keeps all of Blue's board control, creates a free spare, and keeps all assets except for the anchor. But that would be a completely different position tactically, since Blue's 4 point board instead of blotted 3 point board both greatly strengthens Blue's offense and Blue's defense and weakens White's attacking chances.

Messages In This Thread

 

Post Response

Your Name:
Your E-Mail Address:
Subject:
Message:

If necessary, enter your password below:

Password:

 

 

[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums is maintained by Stick with WebBBS 5.12.