Some also equate it to Nard, thus assuming that Nard and Backgammon are the same game, a proposition challenged by Robet and others. Nard A modern version of Nard as played in the Near East is described by Botermans. Robet suggests that this version could be closer to the original game than Todas Tablas. The following is an overview of the rules: The board comprises 24 'spaces' in four quadrants or tables. Each player stacks 15 men on the space at the top right in the opponent's home table and rolls a die to decide who will start. Players move their men in opposite directions. Rolling a doublet counts twice i.e. a double 3 means four pieces may move 3 spaces or one piece 12 spaces or any other combination of four 3s. The tablemen must always be moved to an open space (see below) and, in the event that one is moved by the total roll of the dice, the intermediate space must also be free. If a player cannot use either or both dice legally, the entire turn is forfeited. A space is 'closed' if there are exactly two opposing men on it; otherwise it is 'open', even if there are three or more enemy on it. A single opposing man may be captured by moving a man to the same space. The 'captive' remains next to the rail on the outside of the board and its 'captor' is placed on the inside. The captive may not be moved until the captor moves away and the space is closed to the player whose man was captured. In moving pieces, players may jump over closed spaces. Bearing off is as described above. If a series of games is being played, the winner may score for every enemy man left on the board as follows: 4th quadrant (inner table): 1 point 3rd quadrant (outer table): 2 points 2nd quadrant: 3 points 1st quadrant: 4 points. Russian Nardy Long Nardy, Nardy or Narde is the Russian variant of Nard. The starting layout is as in Nard above with all 15 pieces on the starting point or 'head' at the players top right. However, this time, players move in the same direction. Players takes turns to roll the dice and move their pieces as before. A piece may only be moved to an open point i.e. one that is not occupied by