2023 - Position 142

XGID=-a-B-CC-A---bCba-d-e--B-A-:0:0:1:51:0:8:0:11:10

Match Play. Blue trails 0-8 to 11? How should Blue play 51?

Over the board 13/8, 5/4 was tried but that is the wrong game plan because it is too passive, and it allows White to play his whole roll next turn.

Blue wants to create gammon chances and that is best done by hitting on the ace-point with 6/1*. He has the superior home board so he should put it to good use.

With the same idea in mind the ace is best played 22/21, putting pressure on White’s blot on his 10-pt. 24/23 is a bit too passive. Note that after 22/22, 6/1* and a fan by White Blue has a double that White cannot afford to take.