POSITION SIX Red to move with a two.

BEST MOVE: A8-A6 (haffertee, Kevd, CzarCastic, Ahiru)

- The only way Red can block Blue.
- Red is ahead in the race, but blocks are even. Red can get a slight advantage with this block. It may be small and fleeting, but it is definitely the only way to slow Blue down here.

OTHER OK MOVE: E4-G4 (Khamous, Ossamu, cathy, TheSporkWithin, mel)

- E4-G4 is only just OK in this positon.
- With this move, there is a slightly better chance Red could then use G2 and H2 to block behind the Red runner on G4, but Red can also deflect those jammers backwards off the edge of the board, and potentially block Blue at D4, C4 or D6.
- It is more likely Blue will escape entirely if Red gives him an easier jump by moving E4-G4.

This position was intended to be tricky. Adding a block to Blue is really the only good option Red has here, and A8-A6 is the only shot. E4-G4 is too dangerous for Red to try now. Better to wait at least one or two more rolls for a potential 5 or 6. And if Red got a 4 next roll, he could even leave E4 in place, and block behind E4 with G2 or H2 instead.

If Blue got a good jump over G4, Red could be in some trouble if he couldn’t quickly free his A2 runner. Of course, if Blue gets a 5 or 6 next roll, Red will really have to hustle. Red’s advantage, though, is stronger than it appears, as he has already scored 4 runners. Blue has only scored one.

POSITION SEVEN Red to move with a one.

BEST MOVE: H3-I4 (Khamous, Ossamu, cathy)

- Unblocks Red at D3 and holds Blue in place at J4. Two clear advantages with one move.
- Allows Red a good shot at a long run in lane 3, if he gets a decent roll next move. The guaranteed jump over E3 is a plus.
- Keeps Blue tied up in lane 4 for a bit. Red is ahead in the race. Why give Blue a clear shot at catching up right away?
- This move not only prevents Blue from easily catching up in the race, but by opening a full lane, and potentially moving off with a 6, could give Red an even bigger lead on his next move.

OTHER GOOD MOVE: B5-C6 (haffertee, Kevd)

- Unblocks Red and blocks Blue.
- Gives Red some decent room to run (up to a 4)
- But not really necessary right now. Only really keeps things even in lane 5.
- If Blue decides to block lane 4 on the following move wth either C3, F5 or E6, then Red is blocked if he rolls a 5 or 6, and that roll is wasted.

The idea here is to keep Red’s position very open, with more than one opportunity to use a high roll, while still tying up Blue, at least for a bit. Red’s lane 5 runner is not in any real danger yet, so waiting on moving B5 is fine. There should be several ways to use B5 later to attack Blue, especially in lane 7.

Several players suggested C1-B2 with this roll, but this move really doesn’t really accomplish much. The C2 runner is as good as gone already, and the other two moves are both stronger right now. Letting C2 score now is no harm to Red when he has an easy score in H2, and better ways to use the roll of 1.