2022 - Position 162

XGID=aAa-a-DBB--AdD---b-d--bA--:0:0:1:52:0:0:0:5:10

Match Play. Red 0-0 to 5. How should Red play 52?

6/4*, 6/1 looks attractive but it is asking too much of the Red army.

Red has only nine checkers in the zone, possibly ten if you count the blot on the 11-pt.

Meanwhile White has the better home board. Much stronger is 13/11, 6/1 which consolidates the racing lead and leaves White with no easy targets.

6/4*, 6/1 is a blunder while 23/21, 6/1 is merely an error.

Computers have taught us the value of holding the 11-pt and this position reinforces that teaching.