The Power of Backgames - Part 1

by Clyde Wolpe
8 March 2010

Clyde Wolpe

GammonVillage is proud to introduce author Clyde Wolpe to our readers.

Clyde Wolpe is a chess and backgammon coach, and co-author of "The Perfect Chess Teacher's Companion". Clyde is the 1985 South African Closed Chess Champion, and also the 2009 South African Open (WBA) Backgammon Champion. He is a regular chouette player and backgammon coach, offering one-on-one coaching over Skype (clydewolpe).

Clyde is also the author of "Positive Backgammon", a series of mini-books that will be serialized here on GammonVillage under the following titles: Priority Thinking, Reframing Risk, A Winning Cube Strategy (the 4 Questions), Anchoring Strategies, and The Power of Backgames. Clyde's writing and coaching emphasizes the thought process, leaving the intense theoretical discussion to others. His approach is principle based and will lead you to the correct move quickly.

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Subject: Re: The Power of Backgames - Part 1

From: afeld

Date: 09 Mar 2010 13:11 EST

I still have to study the article, but I noted already that it is the first time were I could print out a GV article with IE w.o. breaking boards over 2 pages. Bravo!!! I can study the article in the subway without first copying, editing etc. etc. :-))

GV-authors: Please try more often this convenient layout!

Subject: Re: The Power of Backgames - Part 1

From: Ray B015827

Date: 09 Mar 2010 21:17 EST

Good information withstanding the serialazation of the thing. When the article concludes will it be possible to get it in one piece??? I'm a newbe so bare with me!!!

Subject: Re: The Power of Backgames - Part 1

From: mws

Date: 10 Mar 2010 08:23 EST

I think that in Diagram 5 White should hit with 13/9* 7/5. Note that many of Black's immediate entry rolls force him to break his board. Also, White takes advantage of the chance to put a spare in desirable position on the 5 point (to absorb awkward 5s and 3s after bearing in all checkers) as well as to prepare to clear the 7 point. If Black stays on the bar, it will be worth it for White to leave a few indirect shots to clear the 7 quickly and hopefully flexibly.

Hitting ought to win a more gammons and backgammons, as well.

ExtremeGammon (XG) agrees on 4-ply evaluation, ranking the recommended 13/11/7 third behind 13/9* 7/5 and 13/9*/7, though 13/11/7 is ranked only .027 worse than best.

I've started a long XG rollout of all three of those plays, 3-ply checker play with 4-ply cube. I'll post the results here as soon as I can.

Subject: Re: The Power of Backgames - Part 1

From: park702

Date: 10 Mar 2010 12:49 EST

Very useful article well written and understandable.

Thanks

Subject: Re: The Power of Backgames - Part 1

From: AbyssGazer

Date: 10 Mar 2010 13:24 EST

Hey Clyde, Nice to see a fellow South African contributing to the BG knowledge out there.

Well done!

Max

Subject: Re: The Power of Backgames - Part 1

From: mws

Date: 10 Mar 2010 17:55 EST

XG rollout is done and 13/11/7 wins by .021 over 13/9* 7/5, and by .027 over 13/9*/7 (2592 trials). The settings were 3-ply evaluation and 4-ply cube, huge search space. One-way 95% confidence intervals were about 0.006 ppg.

I'm surprised but I have no reason not to believe the results. Maybe I'll see what happens if the blot is on the 17 point and the roll is 52.

BTW the roll shown was 42 while the article said the right move was "13/6" which I assume is a typo (rather than the roll of 42 being wrong, where 43 was intended). Is that correct?

Thanks.

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