teachgammon

teachgammon [ -c ] [ -t ] [ -p ] [ -q ]

-c
    Enables the use of colors in the program's display, provided the terminal supports them.

-t
    Turns off tutorial mode. When this option is used, the program will not explain moves or suggest optimal plays, acting more like a regular backgammon program without the instructional guidance.

-p
    Activates 'play only' mode. Similar to -t, but also suppresses any instructional text about rules or strategy, focusing purely on the gameplay itself without interruptions.

-q
    Engages quiet mode. This option suppresses all non-essential output, such as welcome messages and lengthy explanations, making the program more suitable for experienced users who prefer a streamlined game.

Teachgammon is an interactive backgammon tutor designed to help beginners learn the game from scratch. It explains the fundamental rules, suggests optimal moves for various board states, and analyzes the user's plays, providing immediate feedback and reasoning. The program visually displays the backgammon board, allows users to make their moves, and then offers insightful comments or proceeds with its own turn. Beyond its tutorial capabilities, it can also function as a standard backgammon game for more experienced players by disabling its instructional and assistive features via command-line options.

Some terminals may not display colors correctly, leading to display issues.
The built-in AI (Artificial Intelligence) is not particularly strong and may make suboptimal moves, especially at higher levels of play.

Teachgammon is a classic program that forms part of the traditional BSD games package. It was originally written by Mark B. Horton, contributing to its legacy as an early interactive learning tool for backgammon.

backgammon(6), gnu-backgammon(6)