2023 - Position 187

XGID=-Ba-BBC-B-A-bB---c-dc-b-A-:1:-1:1:53:0:0:0:9:10

Match Play. 0-0 to 9. How should Red play 53?

24/16 or 10/2*?

The clearest and simplest route to victory is 24/16. If White doesn’t hit either Red blot (sixteen shots) he will be in trouble but owning the cube he will still be in the game.

The hitting play wins more gammons but loses more games and more gammons.

It is close but 10/2* is a small error. Over the board this is a difficult decision but with twelve White checkers in the zone running now looks to be the best idea.