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BGonline.org Forums
Daily Quiz 10/15
Posted By: Timothy Chow In Response To: Daily Quiz 10/15 (Daily Quiz)
Date: Wednesday, 19 October 2011, at 12:02 a.m.
1. This is the sort of anchor-and-guard holding game that should be in Volume 2 of Kit Woolsey's Backgammon Encyclopedia. Unfortunately that volume doesn't exist and I have to guess based on general principles. If White didn't have that guard then a 30-pip deficit would be too much for a 21pt-holding game with no gaps in Blue's prime and no outfield point left to clear. However, White's guard should be more of an asset than a liability here. It prevents Blue from playing too freely behind White's anchor. Of course, the blot might get attacked, or it might not be able to escape when it wants to, but given Blue's awkward stacks and the fact that White can burn some time with her outfield blots, I think overall the contact of that extra blot favors White. Blue's 65 64 54 give White an immediate indirect shot and Blue's 44 is awkward too. I think White can take. If Blue rolls well, though, even if that means just smoothing our his distribution with something like 61 or 43, then I think Blue loses his market. D/T is my guess.
2. A very annoying roll. 6/5 6/3 is the only safe play. Everything else leaves at least two blots. The least damaging alternative seems to be 8/7 8/5, but that still gives White 20 shots. White is inflexible too, and may very well have to give us something next roll. I'll play 6/5 6/3.
3. This is a lucky roll. After the forced bar/23, the natural way to play the next two 2's is 6/4(2), but is there anything else? 23/21(2) doesn't look better than 6/4(2). 3/1*(2) is possible, but our blitzing chances aren't great and it doesn't seem we need the tempo. So bar/23 6/4(2), and now the choice is between 23/21 and 8/6. While we do want to escape and we do have the stronger board, 23/21 seems to give White a bunch of good rolls for not enough gain. Bar/23 8/4 6/4.
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