Backgammon: Pure Strategy

by Marc Brockmann Olsen

"Backgammon – Pure Strategy" goes deeper into understanding the theory of the game, than any other book before it. This is not a beginners book. This is the book to take your game from intermediate or advanced, into the expert or world class level.The book explains how the backgammon AI algorithms (artificial intelligence) work, and how we as humans can get inspired from them. With this inspiration, the book presents a very strong framework of understanding the dynamics and strategy of the a human neural net philosophy. But instead of using brute force calculation power as a computer does, we use pattern recognition and conceptual thinking. The second part of the book consists of 129 quiz positions, where the ideas and principles of the first part are put to practice. The reader is encouraged to make an effort to find the best move and understand what’s going on in the position. Each position has an in-depth analysis, when you turn the page.It's safe to say, that no other backgammon book in the world will make you (re)think this deeply about backgammon strategy.

468 pages, Paperback

Published February 16, 2017

Reviews

[John Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully thought out in concept and execution and is a pleasure to read. When I have read the companion book Cube Like a Boss, my plan is to go back and read them both again! Naturally you can play some games on backgammongalaxy in between reading sessions! The grammar and spelling in the book are amusingly awful, but it doesn't take away from the meaning once you get used to the quirkiness. Marc Olsen is currently a top 10 player in the world, so you know this amazing approach to understanding the game works well. In brief he takes a general view of how neural networks make decisions on moves and creates a simplified model of a similar approach humans can understand. All positions are analysed with XG AI analysis so unlike books of the past, we don't have to doubt the moves suggested are actually the best moves. The book includes a large section of sample positions for you to test your knowledge and goes on to explain in detail which the best moves are. This guy gives a good name to ex-professional football players, he can't of headed too many high balls.

[Mark Bischuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on backgammon for serious players looking to improve thier game. I've owned & read all the classics & some newly written books (Backgammon For Blood) but this book takes you on an enlightening new approach to improvement & analysis.

[Matthew Leightman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a fuck ton

[Charlie Halliwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc's teaching and knowledge have helped improve my backgammon game tremendously.