2024 - Position 130

XGID=----BbC-DB-BbB---bacbb-a--:0:0:1:61:5:5:0:11:10

Match Play. 5-5 to 11. How should Red play 61?

 If you made the bar-point you committed a double blunder.

Michy (Mchihito Kageyama) has taught us (see his brialliant book “Back Checker Strategy”) that once you have esccpaed the rear checkers and lead in the race you need a very good excuse to make leave a voluntary shot.

None of the reasons to leave a blot exist here (e.g. pay me now/pay me later) and so Red should play safely. 8/1 and 8/2, 4/3 are the two top plays. Take your pick.