Problem of the Week #154: November 17


(a) Cash game, Black owns the cube.




Black to play 6-2.


(b) Cash game, center cube.




Black to play 3-3.


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.

In both cases black is lagging behind in the race considerably, and is committed to the defensive mode.
with a) it is clear that it is mandatory to make his defensive thread as rapid as possible by playing 13/7 5/3.
with b) it is clear he shouldn't touch the checker on the 23point. 7/4(2) is second nature, and now the question is whether there can be any harm to leave a blot on the 13point. With 3/1, 5/1 and double 1 white will double hit anyway, but with a 5th checker behind the loss of a gammon will be more frequent. On the other hand is 13/10(2) a good preparation for the fillup of the 5 point, and a single hit on the 13point would not spoil an opportunity to hit white. As in a) black should hurry to get his defensive thread ready as quick as possible, so i choose 13/10(2).

1. 22/16, 5/3 man on 16 seems useful

2. 13/4, 7/4

This are not positions, where i would stress the candidates play concept. According to chess, backgammon has the benefit, that a lot of moves can be played by routine without serious harm. Here, we are behind. Generating a shot and contain it is paramount. So I wouldn’t touch the defense. Putting the men in the offense where they belong is more urgent for me, because both positions of white are good for a sudden shot.

a) 13/6 5/3.

b) 13/4 7/4.

A - 13/7 5/3 seems clear here, we're behind, so keep contact and build our home board

B - 13/4 7/4, same idea, gammons are active, keep maximum contact and fast track our board construction.

(a) Says "Black owns the cube" but cube is centered on picture. Which is right? (Reverse situation for (b) by the way.)

Pip count: Black 151, White 128

Being 23 pips behind and the straggler on the 22-pt not in such danger, I'm not in a hurry to move it forward. I prefer building my prime.

13/7 5/3



(b) Pip count: Black 168, White 122

I will play 7/4 (2) and 13/10 for sure. Not I guess it's between 23/20 and 10/7. I don't think the back man on the 23-pt is that useful, so I move it.

23/20 13/10 7/4 (2)

(a). We are down 15 after the roll so the race isn't hopeless. I like popping out with 22/16, 5/3. This way you keep a decent holding game for a long time. The pop out gives you extra timing to hold the midpoint for a long time and build your board. Having two back instead of three back also allows you get lucky in the race should you roll boxes or nicks, the anchor will move together. I like staying on the 16 point for connectivity to the 4 point anchor.

(b). This time the race is hopeless. Needs: maximum contact, strong board, hit a shot. So on principal you would prefer to stay back as far as possible. Yet it doesn't feel likely that this plan will work. If you try, for example, 7/4(2), and 13/7 or 13/10(2), you need aces to anchor up and also aces to make the 5-point. Further, your legs are spread a bit in his homeboard and vulnerable to rolls like 53, 64 and various doubles and perhaps double hits too like 51 and 31.

So I go for the 5-point holding game. 23/20, 7/4(2), 13/10.