Questions about Robertie’s splitting

Maddox · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 25

I just finished reading Robertie’s book of 501 problems. In it, he says that you should split your back men as early as possible when your opponent is beginning to awkwardly stack his checkers just outside of his home board but doesn’t yet have a strong home board. I’m wondering what the reason for this urgency is. Why do you have to rush to get your checkers out so quickly?

Wipeout · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 19

The reason for this urgency is simply that you don’t want to get yourself stuck in a prime. If your opponent has his checkers stacked together just outside of his home board it will be quick quick and easy for him to create a blockade or prime and your anchor will be stuck in the opposing home board. Splitting your back checkers is the best strategy to get ahead and to avoid any traps.

Sappertone · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 17

This is correct. There’s nothing worse than watching your opponent win the game while you are stuck in his home board waiting to lose a gammon. Slot your checker early in the four or five point and you have decreased your chances of getting gammoned tenfold.

Aside from this, splitting your checkers will allow you more options when it comes to getting out of your opponent’s home board. In any given roll one of your checkers may be blocked, but the odds of a successful roll is much better if you’ve split your back checkers. Hope this helps!