Bearing Off
Against Opposition (2)
Michael Crane
Diagram
5
Set up your home board as in Diagram 5
with white holding your 1-point with 3 men. Now, using the same numbers as before, 61, 32, 42, 62,
62 bear off safely to arrive at the position shown in Diagram 5A below.
Diagram
5A
If you calculate how many rolls
leave a blot next time, the answer is 6, 65, 64, 54. Practice bearing off with white occupying two
or more points or with a combination of men on points or blots and on the bar; in fact any
combination you can think of and keep doing this until you are happy with your bearing off against
opposition.
This knowledge is paramount in winning games in which you are leading; without it you will lose
them even from such a strong racing lead. Move on to the next section only when you are
ready.
