Games article

Backgammon is thought to be the oldest game in the world
and archaeologists have found backgammon sets that date from as long ago as 3
0
BC. It is a classic game of luck combined with strategy
as you must roll dice and then choose how best to move. The great thing about backgammon is that the rules are simple to explain
but mastering the game can take a lifetime. Unlike chess
the game is also quick to pick up and play
with games often lasting only a few minutes.

Basically
there are two sides on a backgammon board
each with twelve spaces
for a total of twenty-four spaces. These spaces are numbered from 1 to 24 in opposite directions for the two players
so player one’s space 1 is player two’s space 24
and so on. Where each players’ counters (checkers) are placed varies depending on the rules being used
but a common configuration is five on 6 and 13
three on 8
and two on 24.

To begin the game
you each roll one of the dice
and the player who rolls the highest gets the first turn using the numbers from both dice. The rule is that each number is a move
so if you roll a one and a six
you can move one checker one space and one checker six spaces.

This is where it starts to get a bit complicated
but stick with it. When you’re deciding which checker to move and where
you have to consider which moves are allowed. Your checkers can only move to spaces that have no checkers
only your checkers
or only one of your opponent’s checkers – you cannot move to any space that has two or more of your opponent’s checkers. However
if you land on a space where your opponent has only one checker
you have taken it and can put it on the ‘bar’ in the middle of the board. The bar counts as ‘space zero’ for dice rolls
and any checkers there must be moved before the others can be.