Author: Orad Reshef

  • Intermediate checker play

    —

    by

    Orad Reshef

    We have laid the groundwork, learning about safe play and the different game plans. Finally, we are ready to start improving our play! We will begin with checker play, and will focus on cube play in a subsequent module. Here, we present some basic rules of thumb and the reasons for them, and hopefully will…

  • Just make the 5-point

    —

    by

    Orad Reshef

    Following the last lesson, it should come as no surprise to learn of the importance of the 5-pt in your homeboard. It is the most important point on your board for many reasons: since it is an inner-board point, it enables a blitzing game plan by increasing your opponent’s dancing numbers; since it is adjacent…

  • Jonah Seewald – Pip Counting Shortcuts

    —

    by

    Orad Reshef

    [1:01:10] A lecture with many examples of pip counting using clusters from the USBGF Women of Backgammon lecture series.

  • How to install eXtreme Gammon on macOS

    —

    by

    Orad Reshef

    As of this writing, eXtreme Gammon (XG) is the most authoritative backgammon bot. This is despite the ticket price ($60), it having no new major releases since 2013 or any active development since 2015. Most damningly, XG only runs on Windows, making it inaccessible to Mac or Linux users. That said, if you want what…

  • Board strength

    —

    by

    Orad Reshef

    The most important concept to improve your checker play immediately is that of board strength. Simply put, the relative state of your and your opponent’s homeboards determines the strength of your position and guides much of checker play. Let’s discuss why in greater detail. First, how do you distinguish a strong board from a weak…

  • Cluster counting 5: examples

    —

    by

    Orad Reshef

    Now that we’ve described the entire method, let’s practice it in some real situations. We will go through a few examples together, and we provide other exercises in the further reading links at the end of the lesson. Early game In the position above, we can count our checkers on the far end of the…