Stick Or Twist

Double Hit, or Escape To Anchor? What factors do you need to consider?

Credits

Problem 72 from "Whats Your Game Plan?" by Mary Hickey and Marty Storer

XG skin design by Rain

Analysis

I’m hoping most of you get this one right - unless Quiz Factor makes you second-guess yourself. You’re ahead in the race, with fewer checkers back, and your opponent has a stronger board. So if you remind yourself of Magriel’s Safe vs Bold criteria you’ll know that the right move is…13/7* 6/5*! ??

Sometimes guidelines are just that - guidelines. The potential upside from launching a double-hitting attack on White clearly outweighs the downside of a return 5 or double 2. And that anchor on the 17 point isn’t so great anyway - what are you going to do next with it?

Read Hickey & Storer’s original explanation for a fuller analysis, and remember that even great guidelines only work most of the time.