Position 430

 How should White play 61 here:

“If in doubt, make the 5 point” is a saying that has been proved correct many times. So here the first move that you should consider is 11/5 6/5:

Although the 3 point board looks very strong, this position looks stiff and inflexible. You only have 2 builders for your 7 point. Your 13 and 8 point looks stacked compared to your flat 6, 5 and 4 points. All your spares are on two points.

This position just looks ugly.

Compare this to the correct move of 13/7 8/7:

Now you have 3 builders to make your 5 point and give you a 5 prime.

You have spare checkers on your 13, 11, 8 and 6 points.

This position is very flexible, and you will have no trouble making additional points. This position looks pleasing to the eye.

I believe that the most important reason that making the 7 point is correct, is that after making the 5 point you have used your last spare on your 6 point.

If we move a checker from the 8 point to the 6 point, this means that after you make your 5 point, you will still have a spare on your 6 point.

This flexibility makes it correct to play 11/5 6/5. It is close but the 5 point is valuable.

If Black advances their rear most checker to their 22 point, now you will have 5s and 3s to attack that checker with.