HISTORIC MATCHMagriel Annotates: The 1982 Las Vegas Epic
The most influential teacher the game has had walks through the match that made his reputation — decision by decision.
Archive Analysis · Intermediate
Las Vegas · 1982
The mathematician and the purist
NACK BALLARD — PAUL MAGRIEL · 25–22
Two of the game's great theorists trading 25-point match decisions for days. Ballard's willingness to redouble early unsettled even Magriel's famously sound cube play.
The moment
A redouble to 4 while trailing, accepted — and the gammon that justified it.
THE POSITION
Study the decision point — then take it into the Position Lab and argue with it.
OPEN IN POSITION LABWatch analysis
Someone has already explained this.
HISTORIC MATCHConnected
Where this match leads.
4-34-3 — Down or Split
13/9 13/10 or 24/20 13/10
Bring two down for contact, or split the back checkers for an advanced anchor.
UNITED STATESNack Ballard
1950– · Relentless aggression
A dominant force of the 1980s with a ferocious doubling cube, and the inventor of the Nackgammon variant played worldwide.
UNITED STATESPaul Magriel
1946–2018 · Analytical clarity
The game's greatest teacher. His 1976 book 'Backgammon' turned folk wisdom into a framework of safe-vs-bold decisions still used today.