Game 21

(Black trails 13–21. Match to 25.)

Luigi Villa

Jeff Westheimer

Since White has two blots in the outfield, I prefer 24/23 with the 1.

A better plan is 14/21, duplicating 3's. Apparently useless rolls in the opening, like this 5-2, can often be played to best advantage by looking for duplication.

A good double and a proper take, given the score in the match. Villa cannot afford to wait, as a number of sequences would not allow Westheimer to take next turn. This would not, of course, be a money double.

A very difficult position. If Black's home board position were weaker, the clearly correct play would be 17/23*, 20/23, creating maximum blitz potential. White would then be prepared to hit loose on the 4 and 5 points as Black reentered, trying for a shutout. This strategy is not so effective here, since a return hit by Black, coupled with his strong home board, would make him a favorite. Westheimer improves his overall position, trying to reach equilibrium before playing for the win.

Bad. Black ruins his position for some momentary safety. He should play bar/21, 13/1*, preserving his strong inner board and awaiting developments. With the 5 point now open, Westheimer will be entitled to take more liberties with an all-out blitz, which he might not otherwise have dared to do.

I'd rather make an outside point with 8/3* 13/9.

White could hit two men (bar/3*, 19/23*) although the absence of cover numbers for the blot on the 2 point makes this play less appealing. Probably the best play with the 4 is 12/16, bringing another builder to bear on the vital 4 point at little risk.

A play that might have cost the World Championship. White could win the whole match with a gammon in this game, and this was certainly the time to play for it. Simply 7/23* was better than the play he made, but best looks like 19/23(2)*, 7/15 (!) eliminating the 2 point and trying for the shutout.

Correct. White breaks the midpoint while he still has three men trapped behind a 5-point prime.

Forced, but very awkward. White can easily get into trouble from this formation.

If this position were presented as a problem, virtually everyone would find the correct play: 19/22, 19/20. Under the pressure of the World Championship, it is not so easy. The play in the game leaves White stripped and subject to four immediate double-blot numbers (6-5 and 5-4) plus potential future troubles.

Technically 5/4 is correct with the 1, giving three numbers to close the 2 point instead of two (double 2's and 4-2 instead of 4-3).

Three nightmare numbers in a row, and now Villa is playing for the gammon. Right now he has about a 40% chance of getting it.

Black played five 3's.

Villa thus surged back into contention, trailing now only 21–17. With another gammon in the 23rd game, Villa finally took the lead at 22–21, only to have Westheimer tie the match at 22 all, reducing the World Championship to a best of three series.

Game 25

(Score is tied 22–22. Match to 25.)

Luigi Villa

Jeff Westheimer

A poor throw. This way of playing gives Black the best chance to make the 5 point.

In a three-point match, a player with a slight advantage should double quickly. The player being doubled should also be quick to drop. Owning the 5 point, I think Villa is correct to take.

12/15 is better than 7/10. With two men on the bar, White should throw all his efforts into creating builders.

The play 22/21 is strange. 6/5 is much more natural.

Unable to make an anchor, Black correctly tries to go forward.

The play of the 1 doesn't accomplish much. I prefer 8/7, slotting the bar to make a four-point prime as soon as possible.

Good. Black splits in the outfield to try to make the bar or the 8 point.

White's position has become very fragile, and trying to hold all five points in front of Black is a vain hope. He should play 15/8, 15/19. This leaves him with four spare checkers, and the ability to hold his remaining position for several turns.

Hitting two men was also reasonable, but I prefer this play. Black keeps the builder on the 5 point for making the 3 point.

There was nothing wrong with simply 14/7.

White is correct to give up the anchor. He desperately needs escape numbers for his back checkers, or his front position will start to crumble.

White's position is about to fall apart. Black has no bad rolls this turn and should take a roll to try for the gammon that could decide the match.

The final game proved anticlimactic. Villa quickly built an overwhelming advantage and cruised home to win the title 25–22.