2023 - Position 203

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Match Play. Red trails 3-5 to 11. How should Red play 41?

Red must hit 8/7*. Then do you play 9/5 or 8/4 with the four?

There is a huge difference between the plays. After 9/5, 8/7* and a fan by White, White must pass Red’s redouble because of the score (trivial take for money). After 8/4, 8/7* and a fan White has a comfortable take of Red’s redouble because there are only two cover numbers for the blot on the 5-pt.

A slightly greater risk earns a huge reward. Remarkably 8/4, 8/7* is a bad blunder.