2021 _ Position 221

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Match Play. Red trails 3-6 to 7 (Crawford). How should Red play 44?

The score dictates the tactics. For money the sensible 11/3, 6/2(2) is the top-rated play but this is a gammon go situation for Red and his best chance of a gammon lies in building a strong home board.

That means that 8/4(2, 6/2(2) comes out as the best play. 11/7, 8/4, 6/2(2) is not far behind.

The key here is to understand the game plan and then play to it. Not an easy problem at all, this one.