There was a feast of live streaming from the World Championships watched by hundreds of people over the week, and an audience of over four hundred tuned in to the final, where Jorgen Granstedt took a record-breaking third title by defeating Joe Russell – and to prove that it’s never over until the last roll, Jorgen had played right the way through the fighters’ bracket with 9 consecutive wins. This decision was one pivotal moment in the second final:

Jorgen (Black) had been cruising home with two of Joe’s (Blue) men on the bar, and just two stragglers to get home for a probable gammon and crushing 12*-4 lead. The dice had other ideas, though, and a crazy exchange starting with 66 from the bar and ending with an awful fan ensued – leaving us here.

Imagine for a moment it’s a 50p club money game; what’s your cube action for both players? I’d hazard a guess you’d say double/take. It is, but even if it wasn’t a take I know I would be tempted – I’m guilty of bad choices simply because of being in a curious low-stakes position that’s way off the beaten track.

Now imagine it’s the given score, with kibitzers all around you, Falafel in another room commentating on your every gesture; at stake is a five-figure sum, the wonderful board you’re playing on, and the biggest title in the game. For either player, getting the cube decision wrong could be catastrophic. Both players obviously thought it a tough one, Jorgen used up more than five minutes of his time contemplating his decision. But what would you do?

Position of the Week will be having a bit of a break over the summer holidays… 

[Read more…]