Why Blitz?

Another blitz problem from Kit Woolsey’s book. One factor motivating a blitz is when the gammon potential is strong. That’s the case here - White’s second blot means you have some good gammon chances if you can hit it. But you also need to contain White’s existing back checker, while watching out to not get trapped yourself. What’s the best answer?

23/14 and 23/20 14/8 focus on escaping your checkers and seeking to prime White’s back checker. They’re both reasonable plays.

But the best move keeps White off balance, strengthens your home board, and gives you the chance to hit a second checker back. 8/2* 7/4 is the right move here. You won’t like it if you get hit back (and you increase White’s own gammon chances by making this move), but if White doesn’t hit you’re looking very good.

Any of these three moves gives you around 65% winning chances, but the blitzing move sends your gammon chances up from around 9% to 23%.