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XG Backgame Bungle?

Posted By: Timothy Chow
Date: Monday, 28 December 2009, at 3:26 p.m.

In Response To: XG Backgame Bungle? (Matt Ryder)

While I wouldn't trust XG on this one, it's worth pointing out that the six-prime isn't as strong as it might look. You're not likely to be able to ruin Black's timing here with the six-prime; you're most likely going to have to dismantle it long before Black starts to collapse. The 8-point and the 7-point are the toughest points to clear, and leaving a blot on either one of them exposes you to a double shot. Getting hit right now isn't necessarily bad, but getting hit later after Black has started to assemble a prime/board may be painful. In this sort of situation, one plan to consider is to clear the 8-point and the 7-point early and stack up on the 9-point. It's usually not difficult to hop over a short gap from the 9-point to your inner board, and if you are forced to leave a blot there, it still won't be a direct shot. Mike Corbett calls the 9-point in this position (or more generally the 7-away point) the "Cinderella point."

This is not to say that the six-prime is bad. It does stop Black from freeing another checker immediately. But alternative plans are not so bad either. I would personally seriously consider 8/5 7/6 for the reasons stated above.

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