Position 366

 How should White play 22 here:

You have rolled well, and can achieve many things by playing 6/4(2) 24/20:

If this position happened over the board, I would make my 4 point as I am 100% sure that it is the play of the first two 2s.

And making your 20 point also looks very solid. So why is 6/4(2) 24/20 not the correct move? The first thing to notice here is that you have TMP – Too Many Points. That means you have very little flexibility so a lot of your future rolls could be very awkward. You want to create flexible positions with a reasonable number of spares so you can handle bad rolls.

Also moving from your 24 point takes the pressure off Black’s blot on your 23 point.

Consider 6/4(2) 22/24 11/9:

This does look crazy, but you make your 4 and your 20 points. You keep the pressure on Blacks blot on your 23 point by retaining a checker on your 24 point.

If Black hits you from there 18 point, they have to give up their 18 point and give you return shots unless they roll 22 which hits and makes their 2 point. Your board is very strong as you have the 654 structure. If you were Black, would you want to risk the return shots?

If you think of this in terms of Paul Magriel’s “Safe V Bold” criteria, you have the stronger board, you have more checkers back, you have an advanced anchor and Black has an inner board blot. These fit all the criteria, so indicate you should make a bold play.

Because this creates a position that is flexible with spares that you can move, you will have less bad rolls than 6/4(2) 24/20.



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