Backgammon Problems: Middle Game

Mobility

May 15, 2024 | Backgammon Problems: Middle Game

Cash game, White owns the cube.

White to play 5-1

In backgammon, much of our thinking revolves around assets. What asset can we acquire with a given roll? What asset do we have to give up? One way to look at backgammon is as a series of decisions regarding the accumulation of assets, and the conversion of one asset into another.

Some assets are quasi-permanent, like inner-board points, or primes. Others are more ephemeral, like a racing lead, which can vanish with a single hit. We tend to prefer permanent assets to temporary assets when we have a choice, although usually we’re happy to get any kind of asset we can.

Doubling Against One Man Back

Apr 1, 2024 | Backgammon Problems: Middle Game

Cash game, center cube.

Should White double? Should Black take if doubled?

Problem 172 is a position type that we’ve categorized as ‘One Man Back’. White has escaped both his rear checkers, while Black still has one man in White’s home board. Now White is considering a double. What factors go into the evaluation of a double in these positions?

Split into Trouble or Play Safe?

Mar 15, 2024 | Backgammon Problems: Middle Game

Cash game, center cube.

White to play 4-2.

If you understood the logic behind our last problem, you should have no trouble with this one, although the two positions belong to different categories. Our last problem was what I call a ‘One Man Back’ position, where the issue was to move up in the board and try to get into a race, or stay back and wait for a better chance later. This position belongs in a category I call ‘Split or Something Else’, where one choice is to split the back checkers and go for an anchor, while the other choice is something different, like making an offensive point, bringing down builders, or just waiting. In this case Play A is splitting with 24/20 13/11, while Play B is to wait with 13/7, gobbling up some of White’s timing in the process.

One Man Back: Step Up or Not?

Feb 1, 2024 | Backgammon Problems: Middle Game

Cash game, center cube.

White to play 3-2.

Suppose you’re an intermediate-level backgammon player (a little vague, to be sure, but you get the idea) and you’d like to improve. What’s the best way to study the game in a systematic manner?

Different players have different approaches. Here’s what I like to do as a training regimen:

Connectivity

Jan 15, 2024 | Backgammon Problems: Middle Game

Cash game, center cube.

White to play 4-4.

This position was originally Problem 166, where Black had just danced and the question was whether or not White should double. (The answer was borderline double/no double, and easy take.) Some of the responders asked how White should play a subsequent 4-4, and that did seem like an interesting idea for a problem, so here it is.

Action Doubles

Sep 1, 2023 | Backgammon Problems: Middle Game

Cash game, center cube.

Should White double? If he doubles, should Black take or drop?

This position shows a pretty interesting middle game position. Both sides have an anchor, and some points scattered around. White, however, is on roll and shooting at a bunch of blots. He has a total of 27 hits: all sixes, all fives, 4-3, 4-1. 3-2, and 3-3. That’s a lot of hits, so he’s naturally thinking about doubling, and Black is probably worrying whether or not he’ll have a take if White ships the cube.