2023 - Position 19

XGID=-aBABBD--A--bA----bcb-daB-:1:1:1:00:2:2:0:11:10

Match Play. Red trails 2-4 to 11. The cube is on 16. How should Red play 21?

I had this position against Andrew Selby in a UKBGF match. I played 24/23* and slotted my 6-pt because I knew I would need that point to win the game.

The backgammon Gods were with me and although Andrew came in once I promptly hit his blot and after that he stayed on the bar forever and I won the race.

It was only when I put the match through XG that I discovered my blunder. Red must play 24/23*, 3/1 to make White’s 31 and 32 horror rolls for him.

It is technique that you would do well to remember.