Miscellany: Backgammon
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.STRANGE POSITIONS sometimes demand strange plays. When I had this position a few weeks ago, I was annoyed not to be able to hit white and quickly played 16/10, 4/3. White ran out with 65 and the game was soon over.
My play was dreadful and I deserved to lose. What should my plan have been? Firstly I should not have given up coverage of the outer boards. I should have played 24/18, 16/15. If white rolls a number with a 6 in it, I will have at least a single shot at him. If he doesn't, then I can attack him on my 1-point next roll.
But could I really not hit white? What about the odd looking play 24/18, 2/1*? Now white stays on the bar on 16 of his rolls and I have lots of builders in place to rebuild my board. Four of white's rolls (14, 41, 24, 42) leave three blots and four more rolls (13, 31, 23, 32) are nearly as bad. Only six rolls (16, 61, 26, 62, 25, 52) are really any good for him. If he does manage to escape, my coverage of the outer boards is still good.
It's difficult to find plays like this and weigh them against the merits of the more prosaic 24/18, 16/15. In this particular case, the equity difference is small but 24/18, 2/1* is slightly the better play. The really important thing is make sure that you consider all the candidate plays.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments