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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The key to this position is that White has an advanced anchor and so Red wants one as well.

The play at DMP is often very different from when there is a live cube.

Most people, including myself, get this one wrong.

One of the things many players forget is just how much a gammon win can increase their equity in a position.

Can White’s straggler get home quickly often enough to justify taking Red’s very powerful redouble?

There is an aversion amongst beginners to giving up a full prime.

This position cries out for an active rather than a passive play.

This position arises after Red opens 21 played 13/11, 6/5 and White responds with 66 and makes both bar points. How should Red play this 42?