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A question and a puzzle

Posted By: Tom Keith
Date: Monday, 26 April 2010, at 1:34 p.m.

Question: Some people have proposed a rule that: When trying alternate plays, you should completely undo the previous play before trying the next. How far would you carry such a rule?

For example, suppose with an opening 4-3 I'm trying to decide whether to advance my back checker 3 or 4 points. First I try 24/21, but then decide 24/20 is better. Is it ok if I just nudge the checker on 21 over to 20? Or do I have to take back that move and then move 24/20?

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Puzzle: The following position was sent to me by an iGammon user. (iGammon does not require users to completely undo plays when trying different plays.)

User had already played the 6 and has 3 to come. He was surprised when iGammon let him play 2/off. ("Is it legal to use a 3 to bear off a checker from the 2 point?")

What was the position before the roll?

Messages In This Thread

• A question and a puzzle
  Tom Keith -- Monday, 26 April 2010, at 1:34 p.m.
  • A question and a puzzle (spoiler!)
    Casper van der Tak -- Monday, 26 April 2010, at 1:43 p.m.
  • A question and a puzzle
    David -- Monday, 26 April 2010, at 3:30 p.m.
    • A question and a puzzle
      Timothy Chow -- Monday, 26 April 2010, at 3:59 p.m.
  • A question and a puzzle
    Nack Ballard -- Monday, 26 April 2010, at 6:12 p.m.
  • A question and a puzzle
    Tom Keith -- Tuesday, 27 April 2010, at 2:54 p.m.
    • A question and a puzzle
      Bob Koca -- Friday, 30 April 2010, at 5:10 a.m.
      • A question and a puzzle
        Chase -- Friday, 30 April 2010, at 5:35 a.m.