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Hitting the wrong pip

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02-04-2014 , 07:00 AM

bleep69

grinder

Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 483

The following position came up:

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I played the shown move, XG tells me to play Bar/24 13/11

In the name of all that is good and right, why?

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02-04-2014 , 08:58 AM

yogiman

adept

Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 784

White likes to hit, but has to choose between the blots on the 22 point and on the 11 point. If he hits the blot on the 22 point, then the blot on the 11 point is much easier to safe relative to the blot on the 22 point. After hitting on the 11 point, the blot on the 22 point can only be covered by shifting the problem to the 17 or 18 point.

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02-04-2014 , 10:35 AM

Robertie

old hand

Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,954

Don't feel bad. Most players would get this wrong over the board, me included. But here's what's happening.

Black is stripped on his 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 22-points. If you play Bar/24 13/11* Black has a lot of entering numbers which make him break one of his outfield/blocking points. Those variations are very good for you. If you play Bar/22*, he can use his outfield spare to play all those awkward entering numbers without breaking any vital point. Very tough problem over the board, not so hard once you know the answer.

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02-04-2014 , 10:41 AM

bleep69

grinder

Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 483

That's such a perfectly simple explanation! Now I hope I remember it next time this situation occurs.

Thanks both.

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