ON MAY 21, 2016 I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MODERATING A GAME OF CHALLENGE

GAMMON OVER LUNCH BETWEEN FALAFEL AND X22.

T H E Y O N LY P L AY E D T H E F I R S T G A M E O F A 5 P O I N T M AT C H B U T T H E R E W E R E 8 P O S I T I O N S T H AT W E R E Q U E S T I O N E D A N D AT L E A S T

O N E O F T H E S E G R E AT P L AY E R S M I S S E D .

M O C H Y H A S A D D E D H I S C O M M E N T S A N D I N S I G H T S !E N J O Y ! P H I L S I M B O R G

Falafel and X22Challenge Gammon

May 21, 2016 Las Vegas

1. Keep in mind the score is 5away/5away throughout this quiz.

Blue to play 3-2

The biggest problem for blue is back checkers stuck on a 24pt. You shouldn’t touch mid point as it has

only 3 checkers.

2. Red to play 5-5

Putting Blue on the bar is must to take away some numbers from making a 4 point. However it is still too early to commit in full-blitz by making a 1 point. Playing 20/10(2) gives blue a better chance to make the 4 point, it gives up the most valuable 20 point, and it commits you to a race that is not easy to bring home.

A play like this would make sense if Red were quite a bit farther ahead in the race. .

3. Blue to play 5-2

Red isn’t about to make a point and the race is almost tied. So there is almost no motivation to hit loose on a 1 point.

4. Blue to play 6-1

Bar/18 is bad as Blue is down in the race and exposing yourself under the triple shot.

By 13/7, if it got hit at least Blue can improve his timing. It also keeps the furthest point in the back.

5. Red to play 4-1

Red’s main focus is escaping from a 22 point. He doesn’t want to create more tasks by leaving a blot on a 7 point.

6. Red on roll, cube action?

There is still too much contact remains. Blue’s bar point is a very strong defense too. A blot on a 1 point make it double, otherwise it won’t even be a double.

7. Blue to play 4-3

Slot is the fastest way to make a strong board with the minimal risk. Blue really needs the 5pt to finalizing the game after hit. Without the 5p blue

never claims.

8. Blue to play 2-2

Making a 7 point is mandatory then duplicating his 55 (great shot anyway) to bring down the builder. Maximum builder with the least shot.