Bray's Learning Curve

Each week, author Chris Bray lends his sharp insight and easy-to-understand analysis to help you improve your game. 

Chris is the author of multiple backgammon books, including Backgammon for Dummies, and is the backgammon columnist for The Times of London. 

Expert Backgammon Player and TeacherChris Bray Photo

A New Puzzle Every Week

Every Monday Chris posts an interesting backgammon position on our Facebook page.  We encourage you to join in the lively discussion and return here to our website on Tuesdays to read his extended analysis. 

Bray’s Learning Curve in-depth analysis is one of the great benefits of a USBGF membership.
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This one is not easy. The  ‘natural’ move is to play 8/4(2), 6/2(2) but that position is very stiff with every point bar one stripped. 

In this instance connectivity

Red can play this dice roll completely safely by moving 5/3, 5/2 or he can take some risk with either 5/off or 3/off, 2/off.

It should be clear that 3/off, 2/off is much better than 5/off.

Over the board 14/8 was played but this is the wrong idea in this position. It is safe for the moment but leaves Red with three inflexible stacks of checkers and he is very unlikely to be

If you don’t see a move, you can’t play it!

I had this position in an online match and it didn’t take me long to find 15/12*, 9/3*, 6/3. Two checkers on the bar and a three-point home board.