Which game is played on a marked board divided into two halves, each side containing 12 alternately colored points?

This ancient game of skill and strategy is played on a distinctive board featuring twenty-four narrow triangles, known as points. These points are evenly distributed, with 12 on each side of the board, and they alternate in color. The board is further divided in half by a central ridge called the bar. Each player begins with 15 checkers, which they move in opposite directions around the board according to the roll of two dice. The unique layout of the board is fundamental to the game's complex strategies.

The primary goal is to be the first to move all of your checkers into your home board and then remove them, a process called "bearing off". This makes the game a race, but the movement is not always straightforward. A key element of the game involves "hitting" an opponent's lone checker, which sends it to the bar. That piece must then re-enter the game from the beginning of its path, creating significant delays and strategic shifts. This blend of racing and confrontational tactics has captivated players for centuries.

With a history that can be traced back nearly 5,000 years to Mesopotamia, it is one of the oldest known board games. Precursors to the modern game were enjoyed by ancient Romans and Egyptians. The name "backgammon" itself is believed to have emerged in 17th-century England. Despite its ancient origins, the game remains popular worldwide, balancing luck from the dice rolls with deep strategic decisions.