Long nardy online

Long nardy, also called narde and sometimes long backgammon, is the form of the game most played in Russia. Here you can play it free and without signing up: press Start on the board above and the game begins at once.

How long nardy is played

Each player has 15 checkers, and all of them start on one point, the head. Both players move the same way round the board, counterclockwise, and checkers never hit each other: a single checker already holds a point, and the opponent cannot land on it.

• Only one checker may leave the head per turn. The exception is your first turn: with 6-6, 4-4 or 3-3 you may take two.
• You may not build six points in a row unless at least one opposing checker is already in front of them.
• You can bear off once all 15 checkers have reached your home, the last quarter of the board.
• The first to bear off every checker wins 1 point. If the opponent has borne off none, it is a mars, worth 2.
• There are no draws: whoever finishes first wins.

Every rule step by step, with diagrams, is on the long nardy rules page. The board won't let you make an illegal move, so you can learn the rules while you play.

Who to play

The computer: three bots, Easy for your first games, Medium for steady play and Hard for strong players. A friend: by a link you send in any messenger. Real opponents: in quick game, as an unrated guest or rated after an email sign-in.

Long nardy or backgammon?

Long nardy is the calmer game: no hitting, so patience and building blocks matter most. If you want hitting and the doubling cube, try short backgammon.