2023 - Position 33

XGID=-a-ba-DBD-A-cB---d-bb-A--A:0:0:1:54:0:0:0:7:10

Match Play. 0-0 to 7. How should Red play 54?

When ahead in the race, race! The simple bar/21/16 is best here and anything else is a blunder.

The rear checkers are then six pips apart which is good on your opponent’s side of the board. Over the board bar/16, 6/1* was played but there is no need for the tempo play which exposes another blot when White has the better board. White only has six checkers in the attack zone so that also reduces the need for the tempo play.