Masayuki Mochizuki

You know, when we started this conversation, you talked about the 70s and 80s as this golden era of backgammon.

There was a lot of action and a lot of excitement, and the play was starting to get a lot better.

But how would you compare the current era?

I mean, it must feel very, you know— Tame?

Yeah.

How do you feel or how do you describe the current era where there is a lot of competition, a lot of tournament play?

I assume there's a lot less of the kind of gambling action that you're describing here.

How pleased are you with this mini-Renaissance?

Do you think it's good for the world?

Definitely.

I am very pleased with it.

I think it's great.

Coming up after the break, we meet a leader of the backgammon Renaissance.

This is Freakonomics Radio.

My name is Stephen Dubner, and we will be right back.

The backgammon program XG, or Extreme Gammon, was released in 2009, and it became the go-to software for serious players.

Last year, it was bought by Travis Kalanick, a founder and former CEO of Uber.

He is also a backgammon obsessive.

Kalanick is expected to invest significantly in the site with modern AI and machine learning.

It definitely feels like we are in the middle of a backgammon renaissance.