Setting up the board with the chequers in their correct position.
Backgammon is played in competition between two people (other versions are possible, but let’s keep it simple. Also keeping it simple, I’m calling one ‘white’ and another ‘black’).
I’m going to use the terms ‘bits’ as an alternative to chequers and meaning the same thing. I’m using the principle of symmetry to simply where the bits go on the board.
All the bits move the same way. First you have to set up the bits in their starting position.
There’s a symmetry to the starting arrangement of black and white bits. If you can visualise it, it will also be helpful for thinking ahead as you play.
The fifteen bits of each colour go on to one of four of the places identified by by the long triangles of the board.
Each triangle on top and bottom segment has the same number of bits of opposing colours.
Start with the extreme triangle. Place black bits placed on. So on the bottom left triangle place five white bits. That’s the first example of the symmetry I mentioned.
Moving just across the centre of the board (called the bar) place five white bits on the top triangle of the board See the symmetry left and right. Now add five black bits immediately below. Now the top and bottom symmetry is shown.
There are four more triangles to receive bits. Again using symmetry, two black ones go on the top right triangle and two white ones below them.
It is where that the symmetry of black and white positions is easiest to see.
Unfortunately, the positions of the bits on last two triangles does not fit with perfect symmetry. Place the last three white ones above the last three black ones to the left of the bar, (leaving one pair of triangles empty to their right, and three to their left.
There are reasons explained in more advanced descriptions of backgammon.
In Lesson 3 we will learn how to move the pieces into play using the two dice.
PS
It’s a good idea to remind your self about lesson 2 before starting lesson 3.
