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Get On Board:
Backgammon is on the Wilmington Horizon

By: Angela Diatmika

While most of us remember playing checkers and card games as children, the advent of new technology in our adult years has led to a growing trend of much less social leisure activities. Between the home-video game systems and online card sites, it has become far more convenient to spend time with the computer instead of friends.

Years ago I was taught to play backgammon and became instantly addicted, only to later discover that the majority of my fellow backgammon-lovers played almost exclusively online. Faced with a lack of opponents, I reluctantly began to play online. Not only are the game sites confusing in their rules and rankings, but the players are extremely competitive and unlikely to offer the slightest assistance or help for beginners or casual players. Frustrated with this realization and faced with a lack of alternatives, I turned to newly transplanted resident and backgammon enthusiast, Michael Kloian.

For readers who are unfamiliar, backgammon is an old-school board game where you roll dice while moving checker pieces along triangular points in an effort to both defend your pieces while simultaneously trying to attack your opponent. Its combination of luck and skill captured Kloian as a child, and he hasn’t stopped playing since.

To say that this experienced player is good would be a vast understatement. Not only is he a great player, but his real skill lies in his ability and enthusiasm to teach the rest of us how to play like a pro. With experience instructing at Henry Ford Community College and Cranbrook Institute, Kloian is able to teach all skill sets: from first-time players to professionals.

In 1978 he and longtime friend Ken Wroblewski started a backgammon club in Canton, Michigan, which has taught hundreds of people to play and is active to this day. As a new resident to Wilmington, Kloian hopes to launch a club in the Port City, and eventually take on and defeat the Charlotte Club.

When I first sat down with him for a one-on-one game, I was immediately struck by his passion for both backgammon and for helping others. Although an expert, he patiently waited while I fumbled about in amateur style. After each move he explained to me any obvious mistakes, and gave helpful suggestions on how to improve and insight into an opponent’s view. He may have won each game, but that wasn’t his agenda.

“This is how clubs survive—by teaching new or reviving ’closet’ players (folks who stuffed their board in a closet and forgot how to play),” Kloian says, who appears anxious to start a backgammon club in Wilmington.

“I’m definitely looking for a place to start a club, typically a restaurant. Usually a Tuesday or Wednesday evening seems to work best for folks,” he continues.

Anyone interested in joining should contact Michael by sending an email to mesrobk@msn.com, with subject line BACKGAMMON. In the meantime I’d advise a lot of time to practice before sitting at my table!