2023 - Position 28

XGID=-a--bBB-C---aC--bcbbBbB-A-:0:0:1:65:0:0:0:7:10

Match Play. 0-0 to 7. How should Red play 65?

This is a question of timing and game plans. Red can try to hold onto his back game, but he will be only 27 pips behind after the roll and that is a long way short of what he needs.

He must accept that the back game is no longer viable and play 20/15, 20/14. He may yet get a playable back game if White hits and Red can make a new point in White’s board. However, for now he must ensure his timing and play a 3-pt holding game with the possibility of a back game in reserve. He can also still win this game by going forward.