War and Backgammon

Comparing war to a board game sounds mad! The comparison of war to a board game; the very idea that a conflict which involves the killing of innocent people on both sides of the line is considered by many as crazy. Yet, in the very foundation of war the strategy that is used to defeat one's enemy could well have come from a board game!

War and Board Games

Chess uses the technique of moving piece by piece to a better position before it finally takes out the other side. Backgammon uses much of the same analytical thought process, but has more of the fatalistic aspect of war associated with it, the aspect of chance. The possibility of a bad roll could be considered as the equivalent of a error on the battlefield, which when played out on the larger battlefield map illustrates the weakness of such a plan. The Generals move their pieces or soldiers as giant checkers on a battlefield of possibility and chance.

Backgammon vs. War

It is the same with backgammon as piece by piece is moved or counterattacked or a blockade is put up to defend a somewhat unstable position. So the basic foundations of the conflict begin to form. The similarities now become more evident. Movement attack, and move away to safer ground, move again, attack, place a checker in a better position ready for another charge or a strategic higher ground move, before attacking and bearing off. Is it not the same with war, only with different regulation?

Of course the differentiator in all of this, are the dice unable to tell you accurately what is going to happen next until the action occurs. This in many ways is another factor of war that is usually at the front position of any conflict; but, eventually gives way to the action. This diplomacy; the dice setting the tone for the battle can be viewed as similar politicians and diplomats.

Their objective is to put you into the best bargaining position that affords either a winner or a loser, there is no draw here, no stalemate in this game. This is a fight to the finish. Just like backgammon.

So as you can see, it is possible to make an analogy to war with a board game. The only difference being is that people don't die playing backgammon. It is shame we can can settle our wars on a board rather than a battlefield!