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53P- 43 RO, XG?

Posted By: Timothy Chow
Date: Friday, 19 February 2010, at 1:11 a.m.

In Response To: 53P- 43 RO, XG? (jdg)

jdg wrote:

What happened to the "don't major split after your opponent makes a low point in the opening" guideline?

I have also seen this guideline articulated before. 53P-43 is Problem 11 in Robertie's 501 Essential Backgammon Problems and Robertie recommends 13/9 13/10. Robertie writes, "White's position, with an extra inner board point, is less effective for building a blocking prime, so one reason for splitting has been weakened. But White's game is now better for attacking any split checkers (stronger inner board), so a new reason has been added against splitting."

But I think Robertie overstates the case against splitting. The argument about a blocking prime makes sense when the 2-point has been made, but not so much to the 3-point. As for vulnerability to attack, that's certainly true, but you should also note that if you wait longer then it may become even more dangerous to split later. It may be best to split now when you have the chance. Anyway, the decision is a close one and I don't think we can rely solely on general principles to yield a clear decision here.

Messages In This Thread

• 42P 43 RO finished
  neilkaz -- Wednesday, 17 February 2010, at 4:20 p.m.
  • 42P 43 RO finished
    David Rockwell -- Wednesday, 17 February 2010, at 6:36 p.m.
    • 42P 43 RO finished
      neilkaz -- Wednesday, 17 February 2010, at 6:49 p.m.
      • 42P 43 RO finished
        David Rockwell -- Wednesday, 17 February 2010, at 7:25 p.m.
      • 53P- 43 RO, XG?
        6stones -- Thursday, 18 February 2010, at 9:15 a.m.
        • 53P- 43 RO, XG?
          Stick -- Thursday, 18 February 2010, at 5:13 p.m.
          • 53P- 43 RO, XG?
            neilkaz -- Thursday, 18 February 2010, at 5:40 p.m.
          • 53P- 43 RO, XG?
            jdg -- Thursday, 18 February 2010, at 8:58 p.m.
            • 53P- 43 RO, XG?
              Stick -- Thursday, 18 February 2010, at 9:15 p.m.
            • 53P- 43 RO, XG?
              Timothy Chow -- Friday, 19 February 2010, at 1:11 a.m.
        • 53P- 43 RO, XG?
          Nack Ballard -- Thursday, 18 February 2010, at 6:51 p.m.
          • 53P- 43 RO, XG?
            6stones -- Saturday, 27 February 2010, at 10:12 a.m.
            • 53P- 43 RO, XG? 4 ply results
              neilkaz -- Saturday, 27 February 2010, at 3:07 p.m.
            • 53P-43 data update
              Nack Ballard -- Saturday, 27 February 2010, at 6:46 p.m.
              • 53P-43 data update
                neilkaz -- Saturday, 27 February 2010, at 7:33 p.m.