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Intermediate Cube Errors #1

Posted By: Timothy Chow
Date: Sunday, 15 May 2011, at 8:57 p.m.

In Response To: Intermediate Cube Errors #1 (Pilgrim)

This is the sort of position that I call a late blitz (in contrast to an opening blitz). In a late blitz, the attacker typically has more ammunition up front but the defender has more defensive structure as well, compared to an opening blitz, and even if you've learned your basic opening blitz references, it can be difficult to make appropriate adjustments for a late blitz.

One technique I'm finding helpful for mastering late blitz cubes is to try to visualize what the position will probably look like when it stabilizes. In general there will be several possibilities, and it's important to try to visualize them all, so that your judgment of the position won't be skewed. Here are some of the main scenarios:

1. White misses. Blue is then in reasonably good shape. He will be behind in the race with a slightly weaker board, but Blue's chances will be decent, since White still has two checkers to scramble home and Blue's board is quite strong. Depending on what White rolls, Blue may even get a chance to counterattack.

2. White hits and Blue dances. This isn't quite what I'd call a "stable" position yet, because it still matters quite a bit what the next exchange will be. Blue might anchor next turn, but on the other hand Blue's position might deteriorate further. Still, unless Blue very luckily anchors on the 5pt, Blue is in serious trouble. White's back checker should not have too much trouble escaping, and even if Blue subsequently anchors on the 2pt, the resulting deuce-point game will probably be pretty dismal.

3. White hits but Blue responds well. This outcome is easy to forget about when thinking about the position OTB. White will certainly hit if she rolls a deuce but this will typically give Blue several return shots. Because Blue's board is quite strong, these return shots will often get Blue right back into the game.

After all that, it still requires judgment to decide whether Blue has enough chances to take. I personally would take here. It's quite significant that Blue is not on the bar yet and that Blue has a strong board. Also Blue's rear blot is tucked away in relative safety so that double hits are not a serious threat.

Messages In This Thread

• Intermediate Cube Errors #1
  Pilgrim -- Sunday, 15 May 2011, at 9:02 a.m.
  • Intermediate Cube Errors #1
    Casper van der Tak -- Sunday, 15 May 2011, at 10:55 a.m.
  • Intermediate Cube Errors #1
    Timothy Chow -- Sunday, 15 May 2011, at 8:57 p.m.