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Here we’re returning to the theme of the previous post: a late game blitz with a choice of hitting outside or making a point inside. (In this case, making the inside point also has the nice advantage of putting a checker in the air at the same time.) These problems are inherently very difficult, and require looking at all the features of the position before making a decision.
Money game, Black owns the cube, White on roll.
Black to play 2-2.
This position shows an interesting blitz situation. Black’s been caught with a checker on the bar, another exposed blot in White’s home board, and a third blot in his own outfield. White has a three point board with a fourth point slotted, plus a few builders on hand.
Money game, Black owns the cube, White on roll.
White to play 6-1.
If Black were helpless, White would have a strong attack. Unlike the case with an opening blitz, however, Black actually has a position here, with a strong board and a four-point block. If White’s blitz fails, Black will get the upper hand very quickly.
In backgammon, the term ‘blitz’ refers to a position where one side is caught on the bar without an anchor, and the other side is trying to close him out before he can get in and organize his defenses. If the attacking side is successful, the result is often a gammon. If the defender can get in, he’ll usually save the gammon and may quickly take the advantage, especially if his opponent has become overextended. Blitzes are an important class of positions, and the aspiring player needs to understand them well.
Blitz positions fall into three main categories. The first is the familiar early game blitz, where one side (say, White) runs out or splits his back men and Black then throws a double, making a couple of inner points while sending White to the bar. When White dances, we’re in an early blitz situation. Most of these positions are doubles and takes, although there are exceptions, depending on how many builders are available to continue the blitz and how many vulnerable checkers the defender has.
A key idea in understanding the proper use of the doubling cube on a practical level is that of the “benchmark” position. A benchmark cube situation is a position where one of the decisions (doubling or taking) is a toss-up, while the other is completely clear. Properly understanding a benchmark position is very useful since it unlocks the key to many related positions. Just compare your actual position to the benchmark, spot what the relevant differences, and you should be able to make a good cube decision over the board.
