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Dean Jameson writes:
> Isn't there another variant that starts out with all men on points 1
> and 24 respectively and the opponents move in opposite directions?
Actually, the game Igor describes is more commonly considered a Turkish
variant (known as moultezim), although I don't doubt it's played in
Greece, too (as feuga).
Ed describes what is usually called Greek backgammon (plakoto). An
interesting discussion of both games, with lengthy strategic analyses,
can be found in "Backgammon Games and Strategies" by Nicolaos and Basil
Tzannes (A.S. Barnes & Co., 1977) (probably out of print). A third of
this book is devoted to regular backgammon, called "hit" or "portes"
("doors" in Greek) by the authors. Unfortunately, their understanding of
standard BG is fairly primitive, somewhat tarnishing the credibility of
their strategies for the other two games, but I'm not at all qualified to
judge the latter. Of the two, I think moultezim is more interesting, as
do the authors, who call it "the purest of backgammon games." As they put
it, "Maturity, they [Middle Eastern BG players] say, starts with plakoto
and reaches its peak with moultezim."
Of course, they grossly underrate the complexity of the regular game,
considering it "not challenging enough for the mature player." Not
surprisingly, their advice on how to play it well is extremely weak.
Nevertheless, both variants discussed are worth looking into. Although
quite different in structure, they share the common characteristic of
having all men start on the point farthest from home, and so take two or
three times as long to play as the regular game. They require a fair
amount of long-term strategic thinking (and a fair amount of patience) in
order to play well. Plakoto, IMHO, tends to be boring, because if one
player can trap one of his opponent's pieces in its starting table, the
game is essentially over unless the trapped player can equalize with a
similarly far-from-home pin. Usually, he can't. BTW, a computer version
of this game is included in the backgammon module of Software Toolworks'
"Games People Play."
Moultezim is usually more interesting, I think, and it's fun to see every
point on the board occupied by a piece (one man is a point--there are no
blots). Many games devolve into prime v. prime battles, with the prime
closest to home obviously having the advantage. Games where both players
have managed to scatter their pieces in all four quadrants can be
fascinating, as it's not always easy to tell who's winning (except,
perhaps, to a very experienced player).
The Tzanneses are certainly right in lamenting that these variants aren't
better known outside the Eastern Mediterranean.
Dean Jameson
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