Quote:
Originally Posted by lampcord
I'm surprised that leaving that blot on 18 is correct. It leaves 13 shots and 4 that also make the 2 point. Seems in an even race holding game you are usually trying to minimize your opponent's shots and wait for him to give you one. But, I'm also not very good so I'm sure I'm missing something.
You could look at this almost as a pay now vs pay later situation. You could make an immediately safe play 18/12 13/12 that does not leave any direct shots. However looking at the position that gives, you almost certainly will be leaving more shots as you break your outfield points, not to mention the “safe” play creates an extra outfield point that needs to be broken creating even more potential shots during the bear in.
Further, consider what is likely to happen in the meantime if you wait to leave a shot. White likely will have covered his blot on the 2 point. He can now safely break his 8 point to do so. He might even be able to bring his spare checkers from the back into play and close his board. Note that since you have vacated the 18 point he now can safely move checkers into the outfield, assuming you continue thematically and vacate the 15 point as well. Being hit after this would obviously be disastrous.
By contrast being hit on the 18 is far from a disaster in the immediate term. Most of his hits will leave the two point blot for a return shot, or barring that shots on the 7 or 8 point. You are not entering against a closed board, and you maintain flexibility on your 13 and 8 points with an alternative like 15/8.