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The current rule IS THE PROBLEM

Posted By: phil simborg
Date: Wednesday, 30 April 2014, at 1:02 p.m.

In Response To: Easiest way to cheat at backgammon (Golden)

A rule that says the checkers must be moved in an "unambiguous" way is simply not clear and precise enough. Everyone has their own opinion of what this means...even tournament directors will not all agree. It is just as unclear as the word "capricious" when applied to the use of the cube.

There have been problems in these areas for years simply because people have refused to make the rules more concise to make sure there are fewer problems in these area. When I, and others, have recommended ways to make the rules less ambiguous, the argument has been that "you cannot cover every situation and there will always be some areas that are not clear" and "if you do this the rules will be too long."

I agree with both arguments. You can't cover everything, and in order to be clear, the rules must be longer (or there must be an additional guide that explains the application of the rules in greater detail).

Jeb, Chuck and I spent a lot of time researching this issue and talked with many and offered a solution that will not completely solve the problem (as touch-move would), but would greatly help.

If you move a checker, you must not put it against the rail or against the other checkers on the point until your move is complete, and if you do put it against the rail or other checkers, you cannot move that checker back (if it has been moved legally). This will at least help be sure that the checkers moved are the ones moved back.

It is still possible to move the wrong ones back to the wrong places, but this will help alleviate a lot of the confusion.

I do this every time, and even in our chouette, most of the players do this consistently OUT OF COURTESY to all. It stops a lot of the problems.

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