Position 368

 How should White play 44 here:

Sometimes you have to make the big play and put everything on the line in the next roll. Is this one of those times?

You consider 13/9 13/5* 6/2:

This does indeed put everything on the line. If Black rolls a 5 you will be on the bar against a 5 point board with 2 other blots lying around in danger of being hit as well. Those blots put you in danger of losing a lot of Gammons here.

The advantage of this play is that 62 also covers your 5 point if you are missed. That is not enough compensation.

You consider leaving less blots with 13/5*(2):

Now if Black rolls a 2, it will be a little bit harder for Black to escape from behind your broken 5 prime and you will have only one other blot in the outfield. But Black still has a 5 point board, and that should scare you.

I want to be ahead in the game without risking any checkers being hit, and therefore minimising my gammon losses. Consider 13/9(3) 6/2:

You will be ahead in the race by 16 pips after the roll, and if Black cannot escape there rear most checker you will have some pointing numbers and some pick and pass numbers.

This move is better than the previous two alternatives, but can you find something better? Consider 13/5*/1 6/2:

You might dislike having the spare check on your 1 point but in the end phase of the game, it is not bad to put a checker there. Certainly, it is better than leaving blots around.

You have put Black on the bar, you have left no blots and you will be ahead in the race by 24 pips after the roll.

The best that Black can do is enter and stay on your 5 point waiting for a shot. Then you will make a 6 point board with 44 and 33. Put them on the bar with 11 and pick and pass with 43, 32 and 31.

The big takeaway here is to be cautious when Black has a 5 point board.

Also, just because you find a good move, does not mean you should stop looking for a better move.





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