Game 4, move 5: Herd to cube?

[diane]

Position ID: bOZggA2wuxkDAg
Match ID: cAmgABAAGAAA

[ah_clem]

Spoiler

At some other match score I might consider doubling in this position, but at 2-away 4-away we need to be very wary of pushing the cube.  If we cube, he has an automatic redouble and suddenly we're playing for the match and our 2-point lead evaporates.   Moreover, gammons are very valuable for us with the cube in the center and become worthless with the cube turned.  We're favorites to win this game, but stog has a credible backgame going and we're not far enough along to cube even under normal circumstances (the rule of thumb is to cube against a backgame when you have three points to clear in front of it)  and since backgames often lead to gammons we should play on. 

[close]