Although the first roll of the game is pretty well understood, backgammon gets much more complicated as we get a little deeper into the game and positions get more complex. Both positions in this article occur at the third move, after Black wins the opening roll and White responds. Try your hand at these commonplace and apparently simple situations, and see how you do.

Position 1.

White – Pips 161

Black – Pips 162
Black to Play 4-3

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White – Pips 150

Black – Pips 161
Black to Play 3-1

(b) Black to play 3-2.

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Here are two early game positions where Black has not much and White has an inner point and some pressure.

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In Position 2, Black has a 6-2 to play. What’s the right idea here?

White – Pips 161

Black – Pips 160
Black to Play 6-2

Take a look at Position 1. Black has a 4-2 to play. What should he do?