Remembering Walter Trice

by GammonVillage Staff
24 August 2009

Walter Trice

The staff at GammonVillage would like to pass along our sincerest condolences to Walter Trice's family and friends. It is with a deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of one of our most beloved columnists. Walter Trice passed away yesterday, Aug. 23 2009. He was 60 years old.

Back in 2001, we approached Walter with the idea of writing a column for GammonVillage. In an effort to provide valuable learning tools and information for beginner players, we felt that Walter was the perfect choice - part teacher, part backgammon guru, and part father figure.

Walter's column, known as Backgammon Boot Camp, was first published on August 8, 2001. The series continued for 60 articles, with the final Boot Camp article being published on October 4, 2002. Walter's articles received accolades and praise from the entire backgammon community, not just beginners. Many advanced players also commented on the quality of Walter's insights and instruction, referring to Backgammon Boot Camp as 'indispensable'.

Shortly after the last Boot Camp article was published at GammonVillage, Walter went on to publish his book, "Backgammon Boot Camp". We could not have been more proud of Walter Trice and not surprisingly, his book has quickly become one of the top rated backgammon books of all-time.

Walter switched themes and began writing a new series of columns for GammonVillage, known as Tactics & Theory, which was first published October 11, 2002. It was during this time that Walter was able to demonstrate his true backgammon genius to all of his fans. His analysis and understanding of the game were truly remarkable. No doubt, many of us can credit Walter Trice for the improvements we have made in our game and in our understanding of backgammon.

After 85 Tactics & Theory articles, Walter's final column was published on August 21, 2009. Please join us in remembering Walter. He was much more than a backgammon giant. He was our friend, and a true gentleman. May his memory be eternal.

GammonVillage Staff

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Subject: Re: Remembering Walter Trice

From: BlondeUnderdog

Date: 24 Aug 2009 15:20 EST

Yes, I wish to improve my game and become a better player.

I also feel the desire to play at worldclass level, and I am far away from that by now.

I always try hard to play at my best when I play BG in every match. But then, there is one more thing about the game:

Whenever reading the insightful and instructive articles by Walter, I thought "Will I ever be able to analyze a position so brilliantly, clearly and precisely like Walter does in his articles?"

Thanks Walter for this huge amount of articles and instructive ideas. You really helped me to progress from intermediate to advanced.

Playing BG at the very, very best WC level is probably (partially) an art, but writing about BG in such a way/style like Walter did is for sure kind of an art as well.

Subject: Re: Remembering Walter Trice

From: PhilSimborg Member has a photo available

Date: 25 Aug 2009 20:03 EST

I have been asked by several of the US tournament players to collect ideas for an appropriate tribute to Walter's memory. I have received many excellent suggestions and will be making recommendations to the ABT shortly. If anyone has a specific idea or thought, please shot me an email at www.inwk.com.

Walter's contributions to the game as a writer, player, and most of all, as a gentleman, will be duly noted and remembered for many years.

Phil Simborg

Subject: Re: Remembering Walter Trice

From: Coolrey

Date: 26 Aug 2009 09:53 EST

I used to play online Backgammon at a place called Games Grid. It closed down for about a year and was resurrected as the current Grid Gammon. In all I have been playing there for 14 years. No matter how hot I got, I never reached the ranking of #1 at GG.

Walter Trice literally died #1. His rating was 50 points higher than #2, and he was one of only 2 players currently rated over 2000. There are those who will point out that Walter reached that position playing Nackgammon exclusively, but to them I would say that Nack is a more complex and difficult form of Backgammon. It is less influenced by the luck of the rolling dice.

Walter was not my best friend, but I respected him. I always learned something from any article or book that he wrote, and if he wrote one, I read it.

I don't know why Walter didn't play more live backgammon, but even so he reached the top ten of the American Backgammon Tour's All Time Point Leaders list:

http://www.chicagopoint.com/abt.html

Walter was the best of sports, and always warmly congratulated anyone who managed to beat him in the daily Nackgammon tournament at GG, (usually in the finals). That impressed me because I have never been inclined to do that, but Walter never made any excuses for losing. I believe that puts him in a class of his own.

Walter Trice was a true Giant of the game and I think as a tribute to him I will vote for him as the #1 Giant, posthumously, when I vote at the end of this year.

Subject: Re: Remembering Walter Trice

From: qwerrk Member has a photo available

Date: 26 Aug 2009 19:45 EST

Very sad to hear Walter has passed. I had the great pleasure of regularly playing him for several years at GamesGrid. Extremely fond memories of the two nightly Nackgammon events at 9 PM and 1 AM EST -- Walter rarely missed attending.

The ideal tourney outcome was to meet Trice in the finals and if you actually managed to win, you knew you had really accomplished something (and you usually felt as if the dice gods had been most generous). Walter's gentle demeanor on and off the board was unmatched, the game has indeed lost a giant. At least now the BG gods have a new member in their circle.

Thomas "qwerrk' Hanlon

Subject: Re: Remembering Walter Trice

From: trice

Date: 27 Aug 2009 13:30 EST

In this difficult time I have gained great comfort from reading all that is written about my dearly missed husband.Thank you all so much for writing them.

There is also an almost complete obituary and on line guest book to sign at oconnorbrothers.com and Marty Storer has posted the information on Walter's memorial service which will be a celebration of his life at bgonline.org forums.

I will be forever grateful for the years we had

Donna

Subject: Re: Remembering Walter Trice

From: Capt Bloodeye

Date: 06 Sep 2009 03:29 EST

The first BG book I ever bought was Mr Trice's BG Boot Camp. Since then my game has become profitable, and I have entered the world of 'real BG'. Although I'm still a nobody in all this, I regarded Mr Trice as one of my teachers and aspire to play like him. Saddening news.

Subject: Re: Remembering Walter Trice

From: PhilSimborg Member has a photo available

Date: 07 Sep 2009 12:36 EST

We had a moment of silence at the Madison tournament in memory of Walter Trice; I read a note of thanks to the backgammon community from his widow, Donna. And I have collected quite a nice sum of money to donate to the Trice Educational Foundation, which will use the funds for benefit of the many children in the Trice family.

I will be sending a card and note and checks and the cash I have received. The card will include the names of all donators (but not their amounts).

If you would like to be added to the card and/or make a donation, it is not too late?you can send me money via paypal at psimborg@sbcglobal.net.

If you have ever read a Trice article or book or have had the pleasure of knowing him, I would urge you to contribute whatever amount you would like.

Thank you all for joining us in honoring and remembering this wonderful gentleman and great backgammon player and innovator.

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