BOOT CAMP

Michihito “Michy” Kageyama • 1-Day Boot Camp Director

TRADITIONAL BACKGAMMON TOUR & 1-DAY BOOT CAMP

Michihito “Michy” Kageyama is one of the most respected players in the international backgammon community. Since beginning his professional career in 1997, he has earned worldwide recognition through championship victories across Europe, the USA, and Asia, including major titles such as the Las Vegas Open, Chicago Open, Paris Open, Swedish Open, Merit Open, and many more.

Ranked as high as #2 in the world (2023) and awarded the prestigious Grandmaster G0 title by the Backgammon Masters Awarding Body (BMAB), Michy is celebrated for both his competitive excellence and his contributions as a teacher. He has authored acclaimed books (Opening Concepts, Endgame Technique, Back Checker Strategy), produced over 100 instructional videos on YouTube, and regularly conducts seminars and camps across Japan, Europe, and the USA.

Respected as both a champion and an educator, Michy continues to inspire players worldwide with his insight, clarity, and passion for the game.

Miami Open Championship

A One-Day Backgammon Bootcamp with Michy – Master Two Offensive Plays: Prime and Blitz

This year’s One-Day Bootcamp will be led by Michihito “Michy” Kageyama, one of the world’s most respected and accomplished backgammon players. The program will focus on mastering the two key offensive game plans every serious player must understand – the Prime Game and the Blitz, and how to identify, execute, and transition between them effectively.

Designed for players with a solid foundation in backgammon, including those familiar with Tavla or other regional versions, this Bootcamp bridges the gap between casual play and the structured world of American tournament competition under USBGF rules.

Catering to all ages and skill levels, the Bootcamp will combine interactive lessons, live demonstrations, and practical exercises to help participants elevate their play and gain confidence in real tournament conditions. Whether you’re stepping into your first ABT event or refining your strategic depth, this is a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the greatest minds in backgammon.

Prime Extension Exercises:

Work through pre-defined board scenarios focusing on extending and completing a prime. Analyze which points are critical, where to place builders, and how to handle tricky rolls. Students discuss and debate the reasoning behind each decision and share insights on timing and positional strategy.

 

Blitz Builder Drills:

Engage in short practice games emphasizing blitz strategy. Focus on maximizing builder efficiency, completing closeouts quickly, and adapting when opponents secure anchors. After each mini-game, analyze the impact of your moves and discuss alternative approaches to optimize offensive play.

 

Tanuki Transition Scenarios:​

Practice shifting from prime to blitz in dynamic board situations. Students experiment with the timing of transitions, learning how to surprise opponents and adapt strategies mid-game. Discussions focus on recognizing cues for when to switch plans effectively.

 

Offensive Strategy Quiz & Analysis:

Participate in a final quiz testing key concepts from the day: prime positioning, blitz timing, builder management, and strategic transitions. Analyze each scenario with Michy, identify turning points, and receive prizes for top performers.

Lectures Led by Michihito “Michy” Kageyama

  • Extend Your Prime
    Understand what a prime truly is and identify the key points that define it. Learn which direction to extend your prime, toward the 5-point or the bar-point, and how to handle tricky rolls like double-fours. Master techniques to fill gaps and maintain structure under pressure.
  • Tackling a Priming Battle
    Learn how to navigate priming battles effectively by managing your back checkers, maintaining flexibility, and recognizing when to stay the course versus when to break contact.
  • Finding Your Comfort Zone in Priming Battles
    Explore whether you naturally thrive in a priming game or prefer to avoid it. Understand your own playing style and decision-making tendencies to strengthen your overall strategy.
  • Understanding the Blitz
    Discover the fundamentals of the blitz, when to attack, how to build pressure, and what to do when your opponent establishes or fails to secure an anchor.
  • Bringing the Ammunition
    Learn how to optimize your builders and maximize attacking potential. Understand how to develop your position efficiently and complete a closeout as quickly as possible.
  • The Tanuki Play — Shifting from Prime to Blitz
    Explore one of Michy’s signature insights: knowing when and how to shift from a priming game to a blitz. Like the tanuki in Japanese folklore, a clever, shape-shifting trickster, master the art of adapting your strategy mid-game to surprise your opponent and seize control of the match.
  • Quiz, Analysis & Prizes
    End the day with an interactive quiz and group discussion led by Michy, testing your understanding of the key concepts learned throughout the Bootcamp. Enjoy detailed explanations, hands-on analysis, and a few fun prizes for top participants!

​Additional Resources:

  • Provide a handout summarizing key Prime and Blitz concepts, including offensive strategy frameworks and decision-making guidelines.
  • Recommend books, articles, and online resources focused on advanced offensive play, including prime building, blitz execution, and transitioning between strategies.
  • Encourage students to analyze high-level matches, observing how championship players extend primes, execute blitzes, and adapt their game plans dynamically.

Considerations:

  • This curriculum can be adjusted based on the participants' experience level.
  • Utilize backgammon software or online platforms that allow practicing cube decisions.
  • Emphasize the importance of risk assessment and calculated decision making when using the cube.
  • Create a competitive yet supportive environment where students can learn from each other's cube play.
  • The Boot Camp activities will be graded with prizes awarded to the top three.
  • The winners of the Match Play Quiz will be graded with prizes awarded to the top three.

Registration Fees:

  • One-Day Boot Camp and Match Play Quiz: $250
  • The Boot Camp activities will be graded with prizes awarded to the top three
  • The winners of the Match Play Quiz will be graded with prizes awarded to the top three
  • ​You don't need to bring a backgammon board
  • Note that the $90/$45 tournament registration fee does not apply to the Boot Camp program​

* By following this curriculum, your Backgammon Cube-Play Boot Camp will equip participants with advanced doubling cube strategies and the confidence to leverage this powerful tool to their advantage in every game.

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