GNU Backgammon

GNU Backgammon is an interesting, advanced open-source project that uses neural networks so that its artificial intelligence is continually improving.

This backgammon game can be played for fun or you can use it to test and analyze different types of scenarios. It is capable of producing advanced mathematical statistics, and some of them include graphics. The developers claim that at some point, the computer player ranked in the top 5 of over 6000 players on FIBS (First Internet Backgammon Server).

The graphical user interface looks nice, the board can be viewed in 3D or 2D and the game can also be played and/or analyzed by command line options.

If you’re an experienced backgammon player you will find this software entertaining, mainly because it’s so challenging. With similar programs, you usually get bored playing against the CPU because it’s so easy to win and you begin to see repetitive strategies. The only thing making you feel that you’re playing against your computer will be its lightning fast moves and that will happen only if the difficulty level is less than expert, otherwise it takes some time to process the algorithms (so it will feel like you're actually playing against a human being that needs time to think). Other than that, you will see unexpected strategies, constant changes and well “thought” moves. You may even get frustrated with how good it plays and how often you lose.

In case you want to take advantage of the analysis part, the program features many powerful functions, tools, graphics and options. The board can be edited then played and analyzed, the dice combination can be manually picked, almost everything you would need is included.

So if you want to play an entertaining and challenging backgammon game, download this software and have fun or… get angry. Also, if analyzing different scenarios and statistics is your passion then give it a try.