Wiiso 01 - Backgammon Forum - Discuss Backgammon Strategy, Clubs and Books

Two Plus Two Forums Sports and Games Chess and Other Board Games Backgammon Forum hosted by Bill Robertie.

Wiiso 01

Post Reply Subscribe

...

08-19-2017 , 02:45 AM

tithus

stranger

Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 10

Hi all,

new to the forum.
first of all thank you Mr Robertie for all the insightful analysis you provide here and especially for the weekly problem you were posting several years ago. I learned a lot with them and miss them just as much.

I would appreciate the help of the community on the position below.
What would you do and for which reasons?

White - Pips 155. Match Score 0/5

Black - Pips 139. Match Score 1/5
Black to Play 5-4
Created with www.BGdiagram.com

Quote

08-19-2017 , 08:43 AM

Robertie

old hand

Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,954

I would just hit, Bar/21/16*. It's a good shot under the circumstances. Black's game is awful after any other play.

Quote

08-21-2017 , 03:32 AM

tithus

stranger

Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 10

I often make this mistake in this kind of situations but each time I can't convince myself to launch a hitting contest when I have no anchor while my opponent does, a weaker board and am ahead in the race.
Here it feels like looking for contact by hitting goes against my main game plan, the race. or at the very least does not serve any useful purpose.
With a play covering one of my inner board blots, I take a step toward putting my position together. Even if it is not much I see an upside whereas with the hitting play I fail to see one.

Quote

08-21-2017 , 01:24 PM

Robertie

old hand

Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,954

So your play is Bar/21 8/3?

Quote

08-21-2017 , 02:07 PM

tithus

stranger

Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 10

bar/21 7/2 to duplicate 2s

Quote

08-22-2017 , 09:44 PM

Robertie

old hand

Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,954

It's much to early to think about racing despite your lead. Your opponent has a better board, a great anchor, control of the outfield, and plenty of threats to either make his 4-point on your head or hit loose. Your job right now is to survive and see if you can get lucky.

Under the circumstances, 5-4 is a pretty good shot. You get to enter and hit with Bar/21/16*, which at least stops White from making the 4-point on your head. If he hits you on the 2 or 3-point, so what? At least you've kept the few points you have and now have a chance to get your checkers back into play.

Quote

08-24-2017 , 04:00 PM

tithus

stranger

Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 10

i see. hit as a tempo play and hang on to the few assets i have. either way there is no chance that i can benefit from my race lead at this point. better to keep my checkers in front of the opponent and see where i can get. thank you.

Quote

Post Reply Subscribe

...