2021 - Position 201

XGID=aBBBBc-----AbD---A-dc-bA--:0:0:1:54:0:0:0:5:10

Match Play 0-0 to 5. How should Red play 54?

This is a lesson in connectivity. 23/18 is more or less forced. Then 17/13 for the four looks safer but it will be difficult to build landing points to help Red’s checkers reach home. 18/14 is riskier but keeps the external checkers much better connected.

The connectivity turns out to be more important than the short-term risk. In fact, 23/18, 17/13 is very nearly a blunder!