FIBS Etiquette

Maverick · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 15

Could someone give his or her opinion of what is considered the polite way of ending this game? I was playing on FIBS – 5 point friendly match, first game. I had four checkers left to bear off the backgammon board while the opponent had a checker on the 12 point. So, obviously there was a clear win for me (and also a chance of a gammon). The opponent suggested that he resign normally which I promptly rejected because I knew there was a small chance of gammon. He, in response, became rude and started bemoaning the fact that I was being too harsh to expect him to play until there was no chance of a gammon. Who breached the etiquette here? Was I being too harsh or was he in the wrong?

yendi · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 16

In this case, the opponent was definitely in the wrong. As long as there is a chance – even the tiniest one – of a gammon, you have every right to refuse his resignation and insist on playing until the end. There is nothing unsporting about your actions and I honestly don’t think that you were being too harsh when you rejected his offer. In fact, the opposite is true – the opponent should have known that he needs to play until the end in a case like this. It is considered extremely poor etiquette in backgammon circles to offer to resign if your opponent (in this case, you) is in a position of winning a gammon, even for the sake of fewer points.