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BGonline.org Forums
A few random positions
Posted By: Timothy Chow In Response To: A few random positions (Stick)
Date: Wednesday, 10 November 2010, at 4:34 a.m.
Problem 1. Seems like an easy take, despite the ugliness; the race is close to even and most of Black's numbers play safely. Might be a double in theory but I'd hold the cube, and double when I get a shot.
Problem 2. If this were a low-wastage race with the same pipcount, it would be a borderline take/drop. There's some wastage here, but about the same on both sides. But it looks like Black will be more likely to be forced to waste pips than Yellow will be, so on the race alone I don't think it's a take. As far as the holding game goes I think Yellow has an edge because he's filled in his bar point and 5 point, and Black's board is a mess so even if Black hits a shot he may not win. I'd drop but it's probably close.
Problem 3. Weird and hard to assess. It looks like a big take to me because even if Yellow hits, Black is not yet dead. Not sure about the double. Black's two home-board blots are a definite liability as is the third checker back that might have trouble escaping. However if Yellow misses then Yellow has a lot of work to do, and Yellow is behind in the race. I would hold until I hit the shot.
Problem 4. Rule of thumb says three points to clear in front of a well-timed backgame is double/take. The 4-6 backgame is definitely weird though. It's not possible to start bearing off until all the points in front of Yellow's anchor are cleared, so the gammon danger seems higher than normal. On the other hand it's probably easier to clear the points than against a more standard backgame. I'd guess D/T but am not at all sure.
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