I'll see what BGBlitz (yes Ive actually bought some software for once!) and GnuBg say in a bit but at first sight automatically went for the same move as you Ali -- it just felt right.

A small point to speed things up (which you'll not be able to do without GnuBG). Try posting the code for the board position as well as an image of it.



Steve


PS I've now done the analysis with GnuBG. No great surprise - you and I both correct Ali. The set up numbers are: Position ID: 4PPEBwBmreABMA Match ID:  cAmgAAAAAAAA.
I saw quite a sizeable change in MWC from anything but the "natural" move (at least -3% MWC I think). This reminded me of some fine guidance and advice dorb gave me once. He suspects many expensive move errors come from misplays of doubles and ALWAYS tries to concentrate more (yes even more) when he rolls one.

Having gone through many matches of players at Vog and at DailyGammon, I can agree. From the lowest to the highest levels, doubles are very often misplayed. One aspect of the error is that there's a tendency to think in terms of moving a pair of checkers together. Although it's often the case that that's the best move, it's can become a habit to play that way. A better habit is to think of the four dice separately and let it end up as paired dice only by happenstance.

Well said. It's easy to miss moves complitely when moving doubles simple because there is so many possibilities. I once analyzed 1-1 roll with gnu and there was over 160 different moves...