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Blitz or Prime?

Which suits you best

Blitz or Prime?

Credits

Quiz Problem 6 (modified) from chapter 2 of "Backgammon Masterclass" by Marc Olsen and Masayuki Mochizuki, with Alec Barr

Analysis

You have both priming and blitzing options here, so which is better?


When considering a blitz there are lots of factors to consider: how many checkers are on the bar, how many points you’ve already made, whether you have any blots in your home board, whether your opponent has made an anchor; how many builders/ammunition you have ready to make more points, and finally whether you’re ahead in the race or not (blitzing and racing tend to go hand in hand - it’s rarely a good idea to try blitzing when you’re significantly behind in the race).


And when you consider all of those factors in this position, it should guide you towards the blitzing play of 8/4*(2) 6/2(2), ahead of the (also decent) priming move of 13/9(2) 8/4*(2).

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