Though Decision

[PersianLord]

## incorrect link removed by admin ##

[Hardy_whv]

Spoiler

Being behind in the race and with White having a very unflexible position, I would not run with the back checker. 13/9 10/7 is my choice, keeping maximum contact and preparing a bigger prime to contain a white checker, that Red is likely to hit.

[close]

Hardy 

[PersianLord]

Match score : 0-0

Match point up to 7

Pip counts : 142 - 131

[PersianLord]

Being behind in the race and with White having a very unflexible position, I would not run with the back checker. 13/9 10/7 is my choice, keeping maximum contact and preparing a bigger prime to contain a white checker, that Red is likely to hit.

Hardy 

well done. But I re-organized this post in shape of a poll. Please vote here :

http://www.fibsboard.com/backgammon-problems/though-decision-t1825.0.html

[Hardy_whv]

Spoiler

Being behind in the race and with White having a very unflexible position, I would not run with the back checker. 13/9 10/7 is my choice, keeping maximum contact and preparing a bigger prime to contain a white checker, that Red is likely to hit.

[close]

Hardy 

[stiefnu]

I rather think the pip count should be 131 White, 142 Red.  I got some useful advice at my club the other day ~ work out your pip count at least three times 

stiefnu

[PersianLord]

I rather think the pip count should be 131 White, 142 Red.  I got some useful advice at my club the other day ~ work out your pip count at least three times 

stiefnu

ty. you are right. i corrected.

[blitzxz]

Spoiler

This is practically the only unflexible formation where it is not correct to make 5-point anchor. (You can get here if the other player rolls 6-5 couple of times.) If white would have only one point more it is correct to make the anchor. So you really shouldn't over do this idea.

[close]

[PersianLord]

Well, good to see that many chose the right choice here.

anyway, this is the originial interpretation of the position which i wrote in my blog:

Spoiler

Though making an advanced anchor by playing 24/20 is possible, but this is not the right move here. Here is GNUBG's analysis:

    1. Cubeful 2-ply    13/9 10/7                    MWC:  51.38%
       0.532 0.153 0.002 - 0.468 0.063 0.002       
    2. Cubeful 2-ply    13/6                            MWC:  51.30% ( -0.08%)
       0.527 0.157 0.003 - 0.473 0.064 0.002
       
    3. Cubeful 2-ply    13/10 13/9                   MWC:  51.23% ( -0.15%)
       0.525 0.156 0.003 - 0.475 0.065 0.002
     
    4. Cubeful 2-ply    10/3                             MWC:  50.91% ( -0.47%)
       0.516 0.152 0.003 - 0.484 0.071 0.002
     
    5. Cubeful 2-ply    20/16 10/7                   MWC:  50.56% ( -0.83%)
       0.507 0.122 0.002 - 0.493 0.062 0.001
       
Yes, occupying white's "golden point" is not even mentioned in the 5 best moves. This stems from the fact that, though white has managed to bring both his back men home safely, he will most probably leave a fatal shot soon or late, as he has actually no home board and all of his checkers are stacked in 3 points. Therefore, as red has a decent home board, he can stay back and leave his blot in 24 point for hunting white's future blots. With 24/20, red decreases his chances of hunting white's blots as white can get his checkers jump over the red's anchor and bring them safely into his home and since white is a bit ahead in the race, this will harm red badly.

Thus by playing 13/9-10/7, red  waits for hunting white's blots and also he brings more builders down in order to make his board even stronger than before. This way, he takes advantage of his previous efforts in building a decent board, which otherwise would be in vain.

[close]