How to Move a Backgammon Piece

admin · Site Admin Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 862

Do you know how to move a backgammon piece in the game of backgammon? Otherwise known as a checker, the movement of a piece is determined by the tossing of two dice. You can move one piece the total amount of spaces as displayed by the numbers on the dice, or you can move one piece per die.

The object of the game is to move each backgammon piece around the board as quickly as you can with your home board being the ultimate destination. Once there, you need to toss the dice again to bear each piece off the board. If you can do this faster than your opponent, you are the winner of the game.

A backgammon piece can be moved to any free point on the board, or to any point that is occupied by one of your opponent's checkers. If you take this second option, you are "hitting" your opponent's piece. This forces its removal from the board. The piece is placed on the bar which separates the backgammon board and cannot be re-introduced into the game until your opponent tosses the dice on his next turn.

While the rules dictating the movement of a backgammon piece are relatively easy to pick up, you need to do more than simply transport your checkers around the board. Your opponent will be aiming to hit as many of your pieces as he can, therefore you will need to adopt a defensive strategy to protect them. You will also need to be aggressive and create opportunities to attack his checkers as much as possible. Strategy is what separates a talented backgammon player from another, therefore it is in your best interests to do as much research and to get as much practise as you can.