Have you ever looked at a backgammon board and thought "What the heck"? To the beginning backgammon player, it can look completely foreign and slightly confusing, but it looks really nice does it not? Of course, there is more to backgammon that just a nice looking board. So, let's dissect the backgammon board and find out just what is what.
The first thing you need to do is open it of course, but I bet you already knew that! Here is what you should find:
- Fifteen White Checkers - Fifteen Black Checkers - Two White Dice - Two Black Dice - Two Shakers - One Doubling Cube
Make sure you have everything, it is virtually impossible to play a proper game of backgammon, without the proper setup. Furthermore, depending on the game you have, the pieces may be of different colors and could possibly only come with one set of dice for you to share.
The backgammon board has a series of triangles, which are also referred to as points and there are twenty-four of them, and sections that are referred to as quadrants and there are four of these. It is necessary to count the points in order to place the checkers properly.
The checkers are placed as followed, keep in mind that the first point is located at the bottom right hand corner, the last point will be at the upper right hand corner, this is according to wherever you and your partner is sitting:
The players place:
- Two on point 24 - Five on point 13 - Three on point 8 - Five on Point 6
Remember, the points are counted according to where you are sitting. Therefore, your number 24 point will be on the opposite side as your opponents 24 point.
The doubling cube a tricky little thing and generally confusing to new players, is a dice that carries the numbers 2, 4, 18, 16, 32, and 64 on six sides. This cube is used for doubling whatever stakes are currently on the game, which may include losing some points. Generally, doubling cube is only used when money is at stake during game play.
The backgammon board has a division bar, which separates the inner board from the outer board. The whole point of the game is to get your checkers into your side of the inner board, which will be the side nearest you. At the end, you will each have a section for holding your checkers. Once all of your checkers are in your section of the inner board, you will be able to "bear off" and remove them from the board, into your section to go for the win.
When someone says 'diamonds are forever', they very often refer to a De Beers advertisement or product used for many years to promote this product as an exquisite gift for their loved ones. However the diamond gem has been a subject of much controversy and struggle, especially for the people in Africa. As the movie 'Blood Diamond' will summarise, it has been a product of mush bloodshed, conflict and a high number of death tolls.
Since diamonds are girl's best friend, many people are unaware of its importance in the world. This is not merely just a pretty little gem nested onto an expensive metal ring. These are something that has seen much historical controversy in the war torn parts of Africa. However, on the flipside, where diamonds are mined legally, they have played a part in improving the quality of life in Africa, more specifically in funding for education for young people, health education, and livelihood for many of the African people and create developmental projects.
Where the term conflict diamonds is used is when the diamonds are traded illegally, which is believed to fund conflict and military weapons in war torn areas, such as central and Western Africa. The first known instances of conflict diamonds came about during the early 1990's in Sierra Leone, whereby illicit mining of diamond were performed funding the conflict ridden country. Other areas of conflict were notable in Liberia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Ivory Coast.
Sierra Leone was one of the countries which had suffered a brutal civil war for over ten years, from 1991 through 2002. This had sparked the Revolution United Front (RUF) who had terrorized the population, taking control of the diamond trading and using the funds to prolong the war. Approximately half a million of Sierra Leones people were forced to flee the country, with thousands missing and numerous killed.
The UN had established one of the biggest Peacekeeping group (UNAMSIL), sending a mission to Sierra Leone in order to disarm and demobilise the illegal trading. By 2002 the mission had succeeded in their goal, abolishing the conflict diamonds trade. The mission had also enabled peace in Sierra Leone, with the country becoming a Democratic country. However, the diamond mining now plays a crucial part in developing the country, with the funding enabling a more stable future for the country. This is done through Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS).
The KPCS was set up in 2003 to prevent the illegal trading of rough diamonds, by creating a non-conflict rough diamond trading. In order for countries to participate they must ensure that the diamond gems are traded legitimately and are not used to fund any rebel group of any sort. These countries will need to become a member and must go through a strict procedure to warrant them as legal trading. This has contributed to the abolition of conflict diamond trading.
In November 2006, 71 countries had become members of this organisation making it possible to stop conflict diamond from entering into the trading process. Since this process has been in place and actions have been taken to counter conflict diamond trading, countries like Namibia, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Angola have received the benefits of the diamond trade. This has enabled improvements in the healthcare system, with Sierra Leone exporting three percent of the worlds diamond in 2006.
Diamond manufacturers in the UK now trade with conflict free diamond, making sure that they provide sufficient certification to prove it is conflict free. The Kimberley Process functions on the basis of safely trading diamonds, continuing to reduce the level of illegal diamond trading to less than one percent (a dramatic decrease) and investigating into any suspicious trading that may be operating.
For people looking for that extra special diamond, it is worth researching into whether this is conflict free through ensuring they have legitimate certification, are able to answer your questions on the subject of conflict free diamond and hold a conflict free diamond policy. The certification is warranty free and must be cleared through the Kimberley Process and/or System of Warranties. Never be afraid to ask questions about this, as you want to walk away reassured that the special diamond ring is benefiting the country and not funding conflict.
Both Lee Dobbins & Anna Stenning are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lee Dobbins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Diamonds and Install Flooring. Lee Dobbins writes for where you can learn more about playing backgammon as well as how to master the. Lee Dobbins's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.
Anna Stenning has sinced written about articles on various topics from computers and the internet, Management and Wedding Gifts. Anna Stenning has studied the historical background of , the conflicts over diamond mining and the devastating affects it has had on parts of Africa.. Anna Stenning's top article generates over 4090000 views. to your Favourites.