Backgammon

Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in existence, and this computer version wisely avoids pretending that the basic rules need much decoration. Players move pieces according to dice rolls, trying to get all their checkers off the board before the opponent does. The combination of luck and tactical decisions makes every turn potentially interesting: a perfect plan can be ruined by a bad roll, while an apparently hopeless position can suddenly become manageable. That mixture is precisely what makes backgammon so enduring. The computer provides a convenient opponent without requiring anyone to set up a physical board, although it also removes the traditional pleasure of accusing your opponent of cheating when the dice behave suspiciously. For anyone interested in classic board games, this is a simple and accessible digital interpretation of a remarkably durable pastime.