What to do when you have an inferior position
from: Marc Werner
When you have a bad or a hopeless position you usually should take greater risks (to improve the position) compared to a position where you already have the superior game.
This is another very important concept you always should bear in
mind during a game. If you have an inferior position and your
opponent is on the verge of reaching a winning position when
things go there normal way you must take greater risks to try to
equalize the position. The reason is clear because if you continue
to play passively you most likely will end up in a hopeless
position barring you roll the superjokers (unfortunately this will
happen not very often). With other words you have much more to gain
with the risky play when things go in your way than to loose.
Pos. 492 shows a good example of that theme. White has an
overwhelming position and leads in all areas of the game. He owns
both 5 points, leads in the race and threatens to complete the
four-prime against the lonely checkers on the ace point. If black
now will play passively it should be clear that the position soon
will be completely hopeless for him. In order to keep his winning
chances alive, black should try to make an advanced anchor of his
own to keep him in the game, even if he risks to be attacked or in
the worst case to be closed out. It is nevertheless extremely
important to advance both checkers to the edge of the white prime
to get the best chance of establishing an advanced anchor.
Position 492, Category Middle Game
Black to play 
Black vs White
Moneygame: Jacoby and Beaver
added at 2/25/2010 4:08 PM, from admin
Pipcount: 156(+16) - 140(-16)
1) 24/22 24/21 [show allhide all]
Equity: -0.786 5 ply
| Player: | 33.83% | 28.58% | 5.08% | 0.17% |
| Opponent: | 66.17% | 42.90% | 22.63% | 0.64% |
Pipcount: 151(+11) - 140(-11)
2) 24/22 6/3 [show positionhide position]
Equity: -0.838 (-0.052) 5 ply
| Player: | 32.98% | 27.33% | 5.46% | 0.19% |
| Opponent: | 67.02% | 42.97% | 23.20% | 0.85% |
3) 24/21 6/4 [show positionhide position]
Equity: -0.845 (-0.059) 5 ply
| Player: | 32.58% | 27.14% | 5.25% | 0.19% |
| Opponent: | 67.42% | 44.09% | 22.53% | 0.80% |
4) 24/21 8/6 [show positionhide position]
Equity: -0.868 (-0.082) XG Roller+
| Player: | 31.67% | 26.32% | 5.18% | 0.17% |
| Opponent: | 68.33% | 45.98% | 21.65% | 0.70% |
5) 24/22 13/10 [show positionhide position]
Equity: -0.884 (-0.098) XG Roller+
| Player: | 31.81% | 26.30% | 5.32% | 0.19% |
| Opponent: | 68.19% | 44.46% | 22.73% | 1.00% |
Software: eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.12
Conversely if you have already a very good position you should
be eager to avoid unnecessary risks which will give your opponent
the counterplay he needs to turn the game around. See this from the
perspective of your opponent. Normally when your opponent
have a hopeless position his only chance to win the game is
to hit a lucky shot or keep rolling jokers to turn the game
around.
One more example for the same principle.
Position 407, Category Middle Game
Black to play 
Black vs White
Match to 11, Score: 4 - 1
added at 2/11/2010 9:29 PM, from dongbang
Pipcount: 155(+2) - 153(-2)
1) 24/23 24/21 [show allhide all]
Equity: -0.193 6 ply
| Player: | 47.86% | 33.16% | 13.81% | 0.89% |
| Opponent: | 52.14% | 34.30% | 17.08% | 0.76% |
Pipcount: 151(-2) - 153(+2)
2) 24/21 6/5 [show positionhide position]
Equity: -0.195 (-0.002) 6 ply
| Player: | 47.71% | 32.56% | 14.19% | 0.96% |
| Opponent: | 52.29% | 34.74% | 16.70% | 0.85% |
3) 24/23 13/10 [show positionhide position]
Equity: -0.233 (-0.040) 6 ply
| Player: | 46.77% | 31.50% | 14.43% | 0.84% |
| Opponent: | 53.23% | 34.75% | 17.41% | 1.07% |
4) 13/10 6/5 [show positionhide position]
Equity: -0.299 (-0.106) XG Roller+
| Player: | 44.84% | 29.63% | 14.30% | 0.91% |
| Opponent: | 55.16% | 37.44% | 16.54% | 1.18% |
5) 13/9 [show positionhide position]
Equity: -0.305 (-0.112) 2 ply
| Player: | 43.82% | 29.42% | 13.69% | 0.71% |
| Opponent: | 56.18% | 38.66% | 16.47% | 1.05% |
Software: eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.12. MET: eXtremeGammon
In bad positions when you expect to loose the game if things go there normal way you must take greater risks to try to equalize the position. On the other hand, when you already have the superior position or best a nearly winning position you normally should try to avoid risks which only helps your opponent to turn the game around.
updated: Friday, March 22, 2013