For money or at an even score this would be a double and a massive pass. Red’s advantages are too powerful: a five-point prime; White has no anchor; White has a dead checker on her ace-pt;
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Each week, author Chris Bray lends his sharp insight and easy-to-understand analysis to help you improve your game.
Chris is the author of multiple backgammon books, including Backgammon for Dummies, and is the backgammon columnist for The Times of London.
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How many times have we seen this type of problem? Should Red go or should he stay?
Let’s think it through. After the roll Red will lead by 18 pips. That indicates running.
If red plays 10/6,
This position came up in a lesson with one of my students. As Red he wanted to double and thought it would also be a take. Was he correct?
Red has lots of good numbers to make his 9-pt or his
I had this position at the Fulham Backgammon Club a couple of weeks ago. I made the right play and lost a gammon and the match.
10/5 is much too passive and making the 9-pt with 13/9,
All three game plan options, run, prima and blitz are available in this position.
Let’s look at all of them. Red can run with 21/10. That play gives Red a 1-pip lead in the race but leaves
There are only two choices for this double four: (a) 13/5(2), (b) 24/16, 13/9(2).
Both plays make good four-point primes. The problem with (a) is that it leaves the rear checker badly
My thanks to my colleague Danny DeMeester for showing me this excellent containment position. Virtually nobody gets this problem right without a little help. As is
This is a binary choice problem. (a) bar/20* or (b) bar/21. 6/5* are the only two sensible alternatives.
Red is well behind in the race. What is the correct game plan? Keeping the 3-4