Q: Can I install BGBlitz on my Windows and/or Macintosh PC with the same license?
A: The license is valid for any platform you install the software on and you may install BGBlitz on any number of computers with the same license. However, only one copy is allowed to be running at any time. I believe that copy-protection only ends up hurting honest users. BGBlitz displays the name of the licensee, so if a license abuse is discovered (e.g it is found it on a 'warez' server or being shared over a P2P network), it will be revoked.

Q: BGBlitz doesn't run or simply crashes
A: Please send me the log files with "Help / Send log files". Additionally you can send an email to frank@bgblitz.com and describe exactly what happened. Maybe you can attach a screenshot. The more information I have, the more likely it is that I can help.

Q: How can I move a checker using the value of the smaller dice first?
A: Click the left mouse button to move the checker the value of the dice on the left, and click on the right mouse button for the dice on the right. For Macintosh users with only one mouse button, press the 'apple' (command) key and click to specify the right hand dice. If only one dice move is possible, you may either button will work.

Q: I cannot move the checkers in the 'Edit Position' view.
A: A left mouse click moves a checker, if valid, from the home to the point clicked on. A right click moves a checker from the point to the home. For Macintosh users with only one mouse button, press the 'apple' (command) key and click to 'right click'. You can also use Drag & Drop or the scroll wheel of your mouse to move checkers.

Q: Can I replay/import incomplete or unfinished games?
A: Yes, BGBlitz can import unfinished or interrupted games as well as completed ones.

Q: Replay a game from GamesGrid doesn't work.
A: Because of the complete lack of information of GamesGrid's *.cbg format, I have had to rely entirely on reverse engineering with help from Gary Wong. Some games often contain 'strange' entries, which neither of us have been able to make sense of. If something does go wrong, simply convert the *.cbg file to another format and edit it according to the errors. I maybe able to analyze the problem so if you do get really stuck, send me an email to frank@bgblitz.com with the match attached and I will see what I can do for you.

Q: Can I install BGBlitz on an USB-Stick?
A: Yes. Just copy the installation (i.e. the whole BGBlitz folder/directory) to your USB-Stick. Then create a folder/directory .bgblitz in the bgblitz folder on the USB-stick.

Q: Is BGBlitz copy protected?
A: No. I believe that copy protection just hampers the honest user. I use simply a license file and at the start the name of the user is shown. If a license is abused (e.g. found on a warez server) it becomes void.

Q: I would like to see BGBlitz in *your language here*. Is this possible?
A: If there is adequate demand, I will make available a 'localization kit', that allows BGBlitz to be tailored for use with any language.

Q: How can I remove all of BGBlitz for a fresh install?
A: First remove the program

  • (Windows) uninstall BGBlitz. Remove everything from the BGBlitz folder
  • (Mac/Linux) throw the BGBlitz folder in the trash
Then remove all settings, the database, installed themes......
  • (Windows) remove everything in c:\users\YOUR_NAME\.bgblitz except your license file
  • (Mac) remove everything from YOUR_HOME/Library/Preferences/BGBlitz but your license file.
    The YOUR_HOME/Library is usually not visible (at least in recent OS X version). Just use the Finder "Goto / Goto folder"
  • (Linux) remove everything from YOUR_HOME/.bgblitz but your license file.
then everything is gone and you have a clean state for a fresh install

Q: Is "Backgammon Blitz" for the PlayStation or on Steam by you?
A: You might think that this software is somehow related to me, because my AI runs from small cell phones up to server computers...... but you would be wrong. I'm not related to them (fyzz Ltd.) in any way. You might ask yourself: "why in the world a company choose that name"? Can you believe that some professionals apparently so good at web marketing, didn't had the idea to google a product name before choosing it for a product? Or is it a case of "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"? If you stumble upon their product be aware that's not BGBlitz in it and feel free to comment. By the way, it is very easy to distinguish both AIs: Their AI plays abysmally bad.

Q: What is 'TachiAI'?
A: Whereas BGBlitz is the core software, TachiAI is the neural net based AI. The word 'TachiAI' comes from the Japanese word used to describe the first impact when Sumo wrestlers begin a fight! The idea was to have a platform where you could plugin several AIs, similar to chess.