Position 338

 How should White play 11 here?

Sebastian Wilkinson, a fine British player once said “advanced anchors are awesome”. If you followed that saying, you would play 24/20:

After the roll, you are still behind in the race by 14 pips and have done nothing to make it harder for Black to escape there last checker still in your home board.

If you had left your checker on the 24 point where it was, then a lot of Blacks 5’s or 4’s play awkwardly. 24/20 allows Black to play those awkward rolls behind the 20 point anchor, while waiting to escape into the outfield with their last checker back.

This is really a racing play, when we are behind in the race. Still a great saying, when applied at the right time.

Consider 24/20 6/5(2):

This move improves your home board, while maintaining a lot of contact.

But Black can still escape into the outfield with any 6. They can still play their awkward 5’s and 4’s behind your checker on the 22 point. This move will take some of the pressure off Black by making some of their rolls safer.

Consider 8/7(2) 6/5(2):

Now only 63 escapes to our 10 point for Black, where they can be hit with any 3 as well as 64 and 55.

Black’s other 6’s will play more awkwardly. Their 5’s and 4’s will be harder to play safely, and if they do want to play safely, they may be forced to hit shots and leave return shots from the bar.

Even if they roll an awkward lot roll like 54 and make the 3 point, you will have very good chances to anchor on your 20 point, or escape the checker on your 20 point into the outfield or into your outfield. If you move into your opponent’s outfield (points 18 to 13) then if they hit you from the midpoint, they will be forced to give up the midpoint.

It is easy to panic when you see Black’s builders on their 8, 7 and 6 points, but it is very dangerous for your Black to hit loose here as your board is so strong.

This is the correct move, and any other move is a blunder.