Advanced -
expert
pub. 2007, pages 205.
by Mike Corbett
Export price: $36.00
(price incl. VAT. UK: £21.60, EU: € 29.16, Denmark: kr 216.00)
About the
Author:
Mike (USA) has been playing for decades. He has consistently been voted for
by his peers as one of the top players in the world, and is placed as #30 on
the 2007 Giants of Backgammon bi-annual list compiled by Yamin A. Yamin.
About the book:
Although many of the issues may seem unrelated, the majority of the analysis
is limited to a small number of tactical elements and how they are
evaluated. In most cases the possible implications of match play on
positions is ignored. The Snowie program is used liberally throughout.
What's been
said by others:
Perry Gartner: Mike
Corbett displays creativity, imagination, and craftsmanship in his erudite
elucidation of key tactical concepts of play. His problems and solutions are
fresh, provocative and informative.
Paul
Magriel: Mike's book is not only articulate and fun to read, it is
full of thought-provoking examples of problems that are accessible to many
levels of player. It demonstrates Snowie's usefulness, while
simultaneously pointing out its shortcomings. I highly recommend it!
Mike
Senkiewicz: Kudos to Mike Corbett. This is one of the best problem
Books I've seen. Creative, playful, and very smart, Mike shows us how to
think outside the box while using Snowie as the assistance tool (and not
final judge and jury) that it was created for. A+!
Kent
Goulding: While those who worship at the altar of Snowie might find
Mr. Corbett's writing irreverent or sacrilegious, he finds and excellent
balance between exposing Snowie's evaluation flaws while respecting
invaluable use as a research tool in this delightful series of
well-written articles.
The backgammon is top notch, but is surpassed by Mike's wry wit and
ability to entertain the reader while making his points. Definitely not
another soporific, bland treatise on the correct way to play double ones
in a long race.
Quotes from famous figures in history? Check
Suggestions on cooking exotic game? Check
Philosophical discussions of the human condition? Check
Sex therapy for the backgammon set? Check
"In short, in matters vegetable, animal and mineral, He is the
very model of a modern Major-General" (Gilbert and Sullivan). The
backgammon isn't bad either. I like Mike's book. Buy it.
Pete
Maddock: Mike didn't just write a book. From cover to final page it is
a playful, profound little piece of art.
Phil
Simborg: I have just finished reading "Backgammon Problems"
by Michael Corbett and highly recommend it for all serious backgammon
players. Mike is a worldclass player, always in the top 32 in the world,
winner of many tournaments. I know him personally and have discussed many
positions with him...he's one of the most intelligent and creative
thinkers in the game.
The book is much more than just a random study of positions...the way Mike
investigates these positions gives the reader insight into the intricacies
of backgammon which helps the reader understand what we should really do
over the board. In addition, Mike provides insight into the working of
backgammon computer programs, particularly Snowie, so that we can better
understand how to use these programs to help us, and just as important,
why those programs aren't always helpful.
But the book is even more than that...it just might be the funniest
backgammon book ever written, as Mike provides vignettes and words of wit
and wisdom on many other subjects...many of which have a loose connection
with backgammon....but some are just plain fun if you are a wordsmith or
interested in clever observations.
Thanks to Mike I have a much increased and fun backgammon vocabulary. In
other words, BUY THE DARN BOOK!
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