2023 - Position 82

XGID=-a--B-DaBa--cB-b-b-c-BbB-A:0:0:1:31:10:6:0:13:3

Match Play. Blue leads 10-6 to 13. How should Blue Play 31?

Given the match score the last thing blue wants to do is to get involved in is a back game. After the play he will only trail by 26 pips. Therefore, holding on to the 23- and 21-pts is the wrong game plan. If he does that then some of his even number combinations will play very poorly. In fact, bar/21 is very nearly a double blunder. By all means keep the 21-pt but the other rear checkers need to get into play.

The only move that is not a blunder is bar/24, 23/20, which leaves a very flexible position. The key here is to understand the game plan. Once you have that then selecting the right move comes easily.