Simborg's Blunders: Learning More and More From Snowie

Interesting article.

I have been playing this against GNU, and I win 69% so far (34 out of 49). Small sample, so not statistically significant. But to be honest, when I saw this position I was wondering whether White could take if doubled at -2 - 2, so for me the result so far look plausible.

Some further comments:

1. I have a lot of experience in these positions, because I have been training myself in defeating GNU by steering for massive backgames. So I expect to play these positions well in comparison with how I play other BG positions.

2. In the starting position, you will hit two if you can, but this is to gain time to get the checkers out and start building points. As long as White has no or only a small number off, and the 6-prime is far out, gammons not counting, you are happier as Black with one black checker back than with two.

3. Do not hit a third White checker if it can be avoided.

4. If White anchors at the edge of the 6 prime, squeeze while retaining outfield control (often leaving a blot). 3s are often a good number to give, because 33 will be partly blocked.

5. When rolling the prime forward, make sure that 4s and 5s either slot the front of the prime, or cover a slot at the front of the prime. Multiples of 4s and 5s away are also good - noting that 44 and 55 can be very awkward, while 33 and 66 will play very nicely.