Problem of the Week #131: December 18


Money game, center cube.




Black to play 5-2.


Note: All ‘cash game’ problems assume the Jacoby Rule is in effect. That is, you can’t win a gammon unless the cube has been turned.

Mutual Holding games are like bicycle sprint races. Both opponents watching each other, jockeying for position, looking for a good moment to break away for the race. Here, i see nothing better then playing to the ace point, starting another point. Running from the anchor, getting under attack or playing from the midpoint, giving up partially outfield control and leaving unnecessary shots, are premature actions. Shuffling with 52 puts the checkers in a more brittle position. Simply playing to the ace point is a smooth way of temporizing.

8/1.

I like it when all options suck. Can't break here. But I come off the midpoint 13/6. White's jockeying position looks stronger than ours. Break now, preserve race.

As the pip count is very close — before moving, Black trails 124-121 — I would not break the anchor or midpoint. A blot at the midpoint is relatively safe on any given turn, but the cumulative risk of repeated fly shots can add up quickly. Were White to hit one of them, it might be lights out.

Determined to play completely safe, I would slot the 1pt (8/1), or else make it (6/1 3/1), with a small preference for the former.

My solution: 8/1

For the Record
I am so often wrong that I like to post my record in these messages. It's kind of a truth-in-advertising thing. Grunch: I have been answering these problems without the use of a bot, and before checking the excellent solutions of others, since Problem 28. My record at this writing is 51%.

I can't crack a point here. Both sides are hoping for a bad roll that leaves a shot, and breaking a point turns a dead roll into a shot (the 20 is a disaster, and on the midpoint, his only nice 8 is 44, so you promote 10 rolls by breaking it). So I'm playing up front. 8/1 seems simplest since I want to fill out my board, although maybe there's some subtlety about not leaving 2 blots because hitting this turn would be too dangerous, but without something more concrete, I'll just put the pieces where I want them to be eventually- making points.

8/1

Breaking the 20 to a triple direct is a bad idea. I want him to bring in his spares so keep the 20 and the mid strong, just put our spare up front on the one point, wait for a better spot and increase our racing vig.

8/1

I'm going with 6/1 3/1. Not gonna run from the anchor or break the mid point. But 8-1 leaves 2 blots and cover for only 1 of them. If white is forced to leave a shot and we have 2 open blots, that ain't exactly fun.

Why is 8/1 (leaving 2 blots) better than 8/3 6/4 (leaving 1 blot)?

The spares on the 3 and 4 point are now brittle ones. They can only move with a 3 or 2. With many moves you have to break one of the four stripped points in front of the anchor, leaving a shot. For example 43 is playable if you play 8/1, otherwise not. On the other hand, will white pay now, if we leave two blots? How many blot numbers white will have in the next move?

If you play sparring games and matches against bots, you will often see this sort of smooth temporizing. Even 3 blots are not unfamiliar.

Grunch.

Black is trailing in the race 124 to 121, on roll, so it's practically an even race. Is it time to break the anchor now with 20/13? Or should we play inside with 8/1 or 8/3 6/4? On his immediate next roll, White will have to either leave his anchor himself or move potential attacking checkers behind Black's anchor, so it would be wise for Black to hold on the anchor one more roll, even if it implies wastage.

On the other side, if Black plays inside, he will be the one moving his attackers past White's anchor, so White may as well decide to move a back checker next roll. The blot in our board might also be a liability if a hit exchange was to happen.

All in all, I'm not sure at all. I think I'll wait a shot and play inside with 8/3 6/4. 8/1 is good for the race, but we wouldn't be able to hit White next roll, so I don't really like it.

8/3 6/4

Yeah, but 6/1 3/1 also leaves 2 blots.

Am I a huge noob for thinking 20/13 is the best play? I am trying to get better at backgammon, so if this is a horrid play can someone tell me why?

"The horrible blunder is 20/13, making Black a big underdog for no reason. White can make his 5-point with 9 rolls and hit loose with most of the others. Even if White rolls his worst (4-2) he’s still doing fine."

lol nvm my question was answered.