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BGonline.org Forums
Break Anchor Better With This One Weird Trick
Posted By: HOMINID In Response To: Break Anchor Better With This One Weird Trick (Timothy Chow)
Date: Friday, 30 January 2015, at 12:36 p.m.
I think this is an unfortunate heading for this post. There is nothing weird about the solution to the conundrum though it is unusual. I am not prepared to issue forth on the use of the word trick in relation to backgammon opponents lol.
In position one blue would like to lock in whites runners, though blue has a high anchor he has in mind the need to get them round the board. The knee-jerk play OTB is obviously 13/8 13/7 as the only other practical option is to play the runners. This is an offer that white cannot refuse for obvious reasons. In the event that white rolls one of the 13 shots 39% that hit there may be counterplay on the other side of the board on account of the blot. This is a risk and reward strategy and is a reasonable play at these good odds of 61% that white will miss. What about playing one of the runners, I think not. There is too much pressure on the 3 point blot with picking and passing and pointing.
Now for position 2, obviously the correct play is once again 13/8 13/7 as there is still too much play threatening my blot if I was to play a runner. I know this from my vast experience lol. Shock alarm the computer says I'm wrong !! The runners time is nigh as the blot on the three point has been moved to the two point. I am lazy as I am a busy person and cannot afford the time to get my head around this. Once again XG's moment has come. Without too much friction it spits out the necessary stats. Glory be there is the answer. It's all about duplication. With duplication it usually offers the opponent two or more options hopefully leaving some counter play. Let's forget the horror double as its only a 3% chance. This is a risk and reward in action again. There are too many ifs and buts to do a total explanation of the position. Set it up and keep your eye on the 6 rolls.
I have noticed recently how many times duplication is the answer to what appear unusual best plays. The problem is of course that you do not see the duplication unless you make the best play, hence there is no learning curve. When watching Mochy I wonder at the time he sometimes takes to make an obvious play (what do I know!!! lol). Maybe he's counting rolls.
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