Backgammon

WHEN Inside Backgammon ceased publication at the end of last year, many bemoaned the lack of a backgammon magazine that would publish articles at the leading edge of backgammon theory and comprehensively annotated matches.

Now comes news of a new on-line magazine from the American master Kit Woolsey. This looks to be a tremendous magazine with articles for all standards of player, a fully annotated match each month and a problem. The graphics are excellent and the magazine can be as long as it needs to be each month. You can expect to see articles contributed from authors around the world over the coming year. The site is at www.gammonline.com.

At the moment there is a demonstration version available free for all to browse. The annual subscription of $36 (pounds 23) is a real bargain. If you are thinking of getting on the Internet but haven't quite made up your mind, this should finally help you to take the plunge and I believe you will increasingly see mainstream backgammon theory on the Internet.

Do you want to hear eight top-class backgammon players discuss the way to play 54 in the above position? Would you play: (a) 5/off, 4/off (b) 6/1*, 5/1 (c) 5/off, 5/1*? This is problem one from the demonstration version - access the website for the solution.