Offense/Offense; Defense/Defense

[Simborg]

In the position below, black has to play a 5-4. Obviously, there are two choices: make your opponent's 5 point, or come in on the 5 point and hit the blot in your inner board. Which one is right?

After you decide, scroll down for the answer and explanation.





scroll down




The right play here, by a lot, is to hit. You have a stronger board than your opponent--you have 4 points made, and he has 2, so getting into a hitting battle strongly favors you. If your opponent did not have the second checker up, or you did not have 4 points made in your inner board, then making your opponent's 5 point would be better.

This position illustrates a concept taught to me by one of my best coaches, Joe Sylvester (Sly). Sly always says, when in doubt about a play, remember, offense/offense; defense/defense. By that he means that if you are in an offensive position, say you are blitzing your opponent or he already has one on the bar as in the position above, you should tend to make a more offense play. But if he is blitzing you, or he has a better inner board, then you are in a defensive position, and then, given the choice, you should tend to make the more defensive play.


Questions or comments? Feel free to contact Phil at psimborg@sbcglobal.net