To hit or not to hit? Therein lies the question as Shakespeare would say.
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.
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 early game position gives Red a dilemma. Should he take the safety of the ace-point anchor or not?
There is a well-known backgammon saying that all Prime Versus prime Positions are doubles and takes.
Doubles in races and bear-offs can be learnt using formulae to help decide. The same is not true of the middle game which is far too complex for a set of rules to be doggedly applied.
Always remember that backgammon is a like war. An essential element of warfare is communication.
This looks like a classic ‘Pay me now, pay me later’ problem.
What could be simpler than a four-roll ending?