Softcover

ISBN 10: 4871874621 ISBN 13: 9784871874625

Publisher: Ishi Press, 2012

This is a basic beginner's book on Backgammon. In spite of the claims made on the cover here of being the last word on the subject, this is actually the first word. The author gives 50 problems and their solutions. There are explanations of the reasons why the solutions are correct. This book is a good two to three hour read. I wish I had this book when I was learning backgammon. It would have saved me a lot of time. Do not expect to find any advanced computer analysis here. Ishi Press has brought back this long been out of print book because most of the current books are so advanced that they will discourage anybody thinking of taking up the game. We have checked the solutions to the 50 problems in this book and they are all still correct. I would recommend this book as suitable for a gift to a friend who wants to learn how to play. The friend will be lured into thinking that Backgammon is an easy game. Many players make their living at backgammon. Only a few of the strongest chess players in the United States are able to make their living playing chess. However, there are hundreds and perhaps thousands of backgammon players who are able to earn a good living at this game. In reality, backgammon is one of the few games that has defied computer analysis. Nowadays there are a dozen chess playing programs that can easily defeat the World Champion at chess. However, no program has solved backgammon.

About the Author:

Harold Thorne is the author of many books on games including Backgammon in 20 Minutes, Canasta in 20 minutes, Contract Bridge in 20 Minutes, and Contract Bridge Omnibus.