[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums

What is Happening to Backgammon?

Posted By: Steve Mellen
Date: Tuesday, 30 November 2010, at 3:55 p.m.

In Response To: What is Happening to Backgammon? (Bill Calton)

I can imagine there are some people who would quit playing chess in order to preserve their rating, as if it were a precious bauble one could sit at home and polish. But I wouldn't expect many people to adopt this idiosyncratic view.

There is, of course, an upside to ratings as well as a downside. For the vast mass of players who are unlikely to win a major event, it provides an additional motivation to play matches beyond the hope of someday catching that brass ring. Back when I played tournament chess, you would see very few players drop out of the typical weekend event prior to completion, even if they were eliminated from prize contention. The hope of scoring some rating points was at least a consolation prize.

I don't really see the point in pining away for the glory days of the 70s. I'm sure they were quite wonderful, but the accumulated experience of several decades has shown us that the 70s are not coming back for any number of reasons, so I can't see the attraction of leaving the rules and practices of the 70s undisturbed in hopes those days will spontaneously return.

Perhaps in Bill Davis' voluminous backgammon archives there is a yellowed editorial bemoaning what those crazy kids are doing to the game with their newfangled doubling cube.

Messages In This Thread

 

Post Response
Your Name:
Your E-Mail Address:
Subject:
Message:

If necessary, enter your password below:

Password:
 

 

[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums is maintained by Stick with WebBBS 5.12.