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March-April Issue of Prime Time Backgammon

Posted By: Perry Gartner
Date: Wednesday, 16 March 2011, at 3:46 p.m.

Take a look at the just-released March/April, 2011 issue <http://usbgf.org/?p=1532> of PrimeTime Backgammon <http://usbgf.org/category/magazine> . Marty Storer provides annotated commentary on a U.S. Open match for a slot in the Play-offs between two of America’s top players, Ray Fogerlund and Ed O’Laughlin, complete with analyses by eXtreme Gammon software and comments by the players.

Don’t miss details in this issue of lots of playing opportunities at upcoming USBGF-sponsored events, including the Tournament of Stars, USBGF National Championships, and World Best Player Quiz in Los Angeles June 9-12, 2011. These action-packed four days are being held in conjunction with the Gammon Associates LA Open.

Another exciting event is the USBGF Online National Club Team Championships which will commence in April. Local club teams should register at clubs@usbgf.org by March 31, 2011, and bring the traveling trophy home to their club. Winners will be recognized at the Tournament of Stars banquet in LA on June 11.

The USBGF is making a concerted effort to reach out to college students, with over a dozen university backgammon teams receiving coaching and assistance from USBGF members, under the tutelage of USBGF Education Adviser Phil Simborg. An online National Collegiate Backgammon Championship is scheduled for April 23, organized by co-directors Joe Russell <mailto:joe@usbgf.org> and Justin Nunez. Students on the winning team will win scholarships, and be honored at the Tournament of Stars banquet in LA on June 11.

There’s something for everyone in this issue of the magazine, regardless of playing level. Two-time U.S. Open champion, Mary Hickey, provides tips for beginners and intermediates on the importance of making defensive points on your opponent’s side of the board. Harvey Gillis, former USBGF Board Chairman and adjunct professor at the University of Washington MBA program, summarizes the skills backgammon cultivates that prepare students for business careers, investing, and personal lives. Carol Joy Cole shares her secrets to successfully founding and running the Flint Area Backgammon Club, and publishing Flint Area BackgammoNews for 33 years. Jake Jacobs highlights 4900 years of backgammon history and four generations of his family’s history in five fun-filled pages. Steve Sax captures the ambience of the New Mexico State Championships in Santa Fe in January. A profile of Ed Bennett, a USBGF Gold Founding Sponsor, explains how he climbed to the top of the backgammon world, just as he mastered the game of tennis in his youth. Gus Contos explains how to interpret the eXtreme Gammon checker play analysis tables.

This issue of PrimeTime Backgammon <http://usbgf.org/category/magazine> , and related analytic articles are restricted to Premium, Youth, and Founding Sponsor members. Join now, and you’ll enhance your playing experience—and have more fun! For those of you who have joined, again, many thanks for your confidence in us, and enjoy this 42-page action-packed issue.

Perry Gartner

President, USBGF