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| XGID=--aaBBBBA---BAA-aacbbbbAA-:0:0:1:11:0:0:3:0:10 | |||||
32S-43H-22E-22E-54@-44S-41U-51r-52R-11B-31P-32N-31D-65S- | |||||
Plays that seem interesting include these:
| Description | Move |
|---|---|
| Switch points inside | I = 4/3*/2*(2) |
| Play safe | F = 24/23, 14/13, 8/6 |
| Make a 5-point block | D = 12/8 |
| Anchor and hit (safe version) | y = 24/23, 8/7, 4/3*(2) |
| Anchor and hit (keeping the 8pt builder) | E = 24/23, 14/13, 4/3*(2) |
| Anchor and hit (maximum covers for 8pt) | y = 24/23, 12/11, 4/3*(2) |
Anchoring accomplishes two good things: 1. Makes a desperately needed anchor, and 2. Moves to the front edge of the prime. It is likely, therefore, to part of the play at several scores.
The tempo gained by hitting might prevent White from completing a prime. From the bar 61, 51, and 41 would all leave White’s 8pt unmade.
Making a 5-point block passes up on both of these good things. It also leaves 5 blots scattered around the board at a time when White is sure to attack. White has small boardage, to use Norm Wiggins’ term, meaning he has 4 inner-board points compared to Blue’s 3. All of this discourages me from making the 5-point block. If anything, it is the DMP play.
If a blot is left on the 8pt, and a single hit is made on the 3pt, then White will have 63, 62, 61, 53, and 53 as hitting numbers. If missed, Blue could cover with 26 numbers after making his midpoint on this turn. If Blue goes all out, playing 12/11 on this turn, then he would have 36 covers.
Hitting twice, and switching to the 2pt, was the first play I saw. It might be the gammon-go play, as anything could happen with two on the roof. Unfortunately, it leaves a double gap that will be very difficult to fill with out undertaking risky attacking maneuvers. Probably, it is illadvised at most scores.
On balance, my basic plan is to rely on Blue’s outfield control and timing advantage. The “safe play” does not seem to be called for at any score. At gammon-go, I’ll try the double hit. At other scores, I like anchor and hit, with the final ace played 8/7.
An interesting note for nactators is that this position contains logic loops in three families: underlined D (Down), underlined I (Inside), and Q (Quarters). All of them can be safely ignored, however, as they involve silly plays that break the 7pt and 5pt. Logic loops are discussed on page 67 of the Nactation Tutorial.
Mike