Hoosier Backgammon Club Newsletters Quiz

by Mary Hickey
2 December 2009

Mary Hickey

The Hoosier Backgammon Club's newsletter ceased publication in the fall of 2005, but never fear: Butch Meese has put the entire archive of 243 back issues on CD. While this CD contains a wealth of backgammon information, problems and match logs, it is also the story of the evolution of this publication. It began as a simple club information sheet in 1979, back when Ralph Roberts was club director. Butch took it over in 1984, and under his direction the newsletter gradually grew into the respected, content-filled backgammon journal it became in its later years.

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Subject: Re: Hoosier Backgammon Club Newsletters Quiz

From: ROQREGA

Date: 27 Dec 2009 12:28 EST

Mary,

Hi it is Jason. As for the splot in problem 7, what about the old adage, don't slot while split? And doesn't the splot expose Black to 5 devestating double hitters? Also it would seem that white's position is not so frightening that such desparate measures are required?

In short, the splot looks like a bold intermediate's move. I don't buy that a world class player would make such a desparate move in such a banal position in a tournament against an everyday player?

Convince me.

thanks

Jason

Subject: Re: Hoosier Backgammon Club Newsletters Quiz

From: Mary Hickey Member has a photo available

Date: 16 Mar 2010 11:03 EST

Hi Jason,

Sorry to get back to you so late on your question. I had neglected to check the "Receive Email Updates" box, and so didn't see this until now, when I looked it up to get the contact information for Butch for someone else.

Anyway, here is the explanation I included with the article in the Indianapolis newsletter at the time:

The Splot has a lot going for it here. Strategically, it starts both five points, and takes the risk of doing so while the opponent's position is undeveloped on the offensive side. Tactically, it rolls one of the spares from the 6 point to the only place left for it to want to go, now that the opponent has the 21-anchor, and it also duplicates aces.

I still agree with what I wrote there, and would add that you have particular incentives here that don't generally exist. You are not only slotting the right point, but you are doing it with the right checker; you have little to lose if the slotted man is hit, since you were already behind in the race, and get some compensation in that he has to give up his anchor to hit you.

Your opponent's anchor placement is important here. According to Snowie, if White holds the 22 point instead, the Splot is wrong. Strategically, it is now more difficult for him to break away into a winning race even if you don't build a more threatening structure to contain the straggler if he runs with one checker. Tactically, you lose the benefit of some of his aces being duplicated. With that anchor placement, Snowie 4's 3-ply evaluation likes 24/20, 24/23 (my actual play in the game from which the original came) best, followed closely by 24/20, 8/7 and 23/18.

The adage from Magriel that you cite about not slotting while split holds up well in most situations. The problem with it is that it leaves you weak on two areas of the board at the same time. For a Splot to be correct, there must be enough compensation when it works to overcome that disadvantage. This problem is an example where that is true. In most cases, though, the compensation is insufficient, and the danger is too great, making the Splot wrong.

I hope this helps you understand this problem better! Let me know if you have further questions about it.

Mary Hickey

Subject: Re: Hoosier Backgammon Club Newsletters Quiz

From: ROQREGA

Date: 17 Mar 2010 21:57 EST

Thanks Mary!

You have provided an excellent and through explanation and I feel I do understand the problem now.

The splot (while generally wrong) is valuable option to consider when one is:

1. behind in the race 2. duplicating the opponents #s 3. diversifing your own #s 4. using your checkers efficiently (ala Robertie in Modern Backgammon) 5. your opponent does not have boardage such that a hit or double hit is not lethal. 6. you are luring you opponent off a good anchor if he is to hit the slot (rather than the split) --- with these conditions met the upside of the play when it works is so great as to offset the horrible downside of the 5 double hitters. What you must see is that getting hit once still favors the splotter as he is likely to still make one of the five points. Getting missed virtually guarantees one, if not both, of the five points.

---- Thanks again Mary and Gammon village

Jason

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