Introduction: The Spirit of Tavla and the Yenigun Legacy

In the bustling coffeehouses of Istanbul, amidst the warm aroma of freshly brewed Turkish tea and the rhythmic clinking of tiles, one sound reigns supreme: the sharp click of dice hitting a beautifully lacquered wooden board. This is the world of tavla, the traditional Turkish variant of backgammon. For centuries, tavla has been more than just a casual pastime—it is a cornerstone of social life, a test of strategic wit, and a beloved cultural ritual passed down through generations. If you want to experience this rich tradition in its truest, most elegant form, there is one brand that stands head and shoulders above the rest: yenigun tavla backgammon sets.

Yenigün (Yenigun Oyun Aletleri), founded in Istanbul, Turkey in 1986, began its journey as a boutique furniture manufacturer. Recognizing the deep-seated market demand for premium gaming gear, the family-owned business pivoted to specialize in the mass production of elite board games, specifically wooden backgammon and chess sets. Today, with nearly forty years of heritage and design expertise, Yenigun has grown into one of the largest and most respected backgammon manufacturers in the world. Their boards are highly sought after by collectors, tournament players, and casual enthusiasts across Europe, America, Russia, and the Middle East.

What makes a Yenigun Tavla backgammon board so special? It is the seamless fusion of traditional Turkish artistry—such as intricate mosaic prints, mother-of-pearl (sedef) aesthetics, and rich walnut motifs—with cutting-edge, eco-friendly manufacturing techniques. In this ultimate guide, we will take a deep dive into the engineering, collections, sizing, and traditional gameplay rules of these legendary Turkish sets, helping you find and care for the perfect heirloom-quality board.

The Anatomy of a Yenigun Backgammon Set: Quality and Craft

Unlike cheaply made mass-market boards that warp, crack, or lose their vibrant colors over time, a Yenigun board is built to last. The company's unique manufacturing process addresses the structural weaknesses common in traditional wooden boards, ensuring a perfectly flat, highly durable playing surface.

1. The Core: High-Grade 16mm MDF

Solid wood boards, while beautiful, are notorious for warping when exposed to shifts in humidity and temperature. To combat this, Yenigun utilizes a premium 16mm Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) core for many of its classic and trendy boards. This provides an incredibly stable, rigid base that remains perfectly flat over years of rigorous play. The exterior is then wrapped in stunning, high-definition wood-grain laminates, decoupaged prints, or natural wood veneers.

2. The Finish: Multi-Layer Polyester Coating

One of the defining characteristics of a Yenigun board is its signature glass-like surface. After the intricate designs—be it a walnut motif, an Ottoman-style mosaic, or a modern geometric print—are applied to the wood, the board is sealed with multiple layers of protective polyester varnish (often up to six coats).

This state-of-the-art Italian polish or matte polyester finish serves several critical purposes:

• Scratch Resistance: It protects the design from the constant impact of plastic, melamine, or wooden checkers and the rolling of dice.
• Ultra-Smooth Gliding: It allows the checkers to slide across the points with satisfying, fluid ease.
• Vibrant Color Preservation: The coating prevents UV fading, ensuring that the rich colors and detailed patterns remain as vivid as the day they were crafted.

3. Premium Hardware: Invisible Hinges and Magnetic Closures

A great backgammon board must open and close flawlessly. Yenigun integrates high-quality, invisible brass hinges that are recessed directly into the wood. This design allows the board to lay completely flat without any unsightly gaps or raised metal parts that could interfere with game play. To secure the board when folded, Yenigun uses powerful, hidden magnetic clips. This elegant locking mechanism eliminates the need for external metal latches, preserving the clean, uninterrupted lines of the outer wooden casing.

4. Eco-Friendly and Toxic-Free Materials

Yenigun is heavily committed to clean, environmentally responsible manufacturing. Their production facilities in Istanbul are certified by governmental authorities for waste management, water conservation, and air filtration. Crucially for players, all lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives used in their boards are free of harmful chemicals, ensuring a safe gaming experience for families and children.

A Tour of Yenigun's Premier Collections

Yenigun offers an extensive array of collections designed to cater to every aesthetic preference, from traditional historic motifs to sleek, ultra-modern designs. Here is an overview of their most popular series:

1. The Premium & Royal Series

For the discerning collector, the Premium and Royal collections are the crown jewels of Yenigun's catalog. These boards often feature marquetry—the art of applying pieces of natural wood veneer to form decorative patterns. Key designs in this category include:

• Ebony & Marquetry: Sleek, dark tones contrasted with light wood inlays, offering a sophisticated and timeless look.
• Khatam and Khatam Laila: Inspired by ancient Persian micro-mosaic metal and wood inlays, these designs are incredibly detailed, displaying intricate geometric stars and floral patterns that look like fine jewelry.
• Mother of Pearl (Sedef): These boards mimic the luminescent beauty of natural mother-of-pearl, catching the light beautifully and lending an air of royal luxury to every match.

2. The Classic Wooden Series

The Classic collection pays homage to the historical coffeehouse culture of Turkey. These boards feature warm wood grains, traditional floral patterns, and classic Ottoman layouts.

• Walnut Burl & Olive Burl: Designed with high-fidelity decoupage that beautifully replicates the organic, swirling patterns of rare burl woods.
• Harem & Romantic: Featuring classic artwork, including historical Turkish figures or romantic nature scenes, varnished to a brilliant shine.
• Antep: Named after the southeastern Turkish city famous for its mother-of-pearl craftsmanship, these boards feature traditional geometric border designs that look hand-carved.

3. The Trendy Series

If your home decor leans toward contemporary, the Trendy series is an exceptional choice. These boards replace traditional wood grains with bold, vibrant graphics. You will find modern marble textures (such as high-contrast Black Marble and Gray Marble), minimalist geometric layouts, pop-art illustrations, and even thematic designs like skulls or abstract paintings. They retain the exact same 16mm MDF core and durable polyester finish, making them as tough as they are stylish.

4. The Leather & Premium Leather Series

For those who prefer a quieter, more tactile experience, Yenigun's Leather series features boards wrapped in high-quality synthetic or genuine leather. The interior playing field is often made of soft, padded leather or felt. This dampens the loud, echoing clack of rolling dice and sliding checkers, providing a hushed, luxurious atmosphere that is highly favored in quiet libraries, premium lounges, or modern game rooms.

Sizing and Specs: Choosing Your Perfect Board

Yenigun boards are manufactured in several size categories to accommodate different playing environments and storage needs. When shopping, you will typically find the following options:

Large / Tournament Size (19-inch to 20-inch)

• Dimensions (Closed): Approximately 48cm x 24cm x 6.5cm (or roughly 19" x 9.5" x 2.5").
• Best For: Serious players, home game rooms, and display pieces.
• Why Choose It: The large size provides the ultimate playing experience. The checkers are large and heavy (typically 35mm in diameter), the dice have plenty of room to bounce, and the intricate graphic details of the board are shown off to their full, stunning potential.

Medium Size (15-inch to 16-inch)

• Dimensions (Closed): Approximately 38cm x 20cm x 5.2cm (or roughly 15" x 8" x 2").
• Best For: Casual play, smaller coffee tables, and easy storage.
• Why Choose It: It strikes the perfect balance between portability and usability. It is large enough to feel like a premium board under your fingers, yet compact enough to pack into a backpack or keep tucked away on a bookshelf.

Small / Travel Size (10-inch to 12-inch)

• Dimensions (Closed): Approximately 25.5cm x 12.2cm x 4.5cm.
• Best For: Travel, picnics, beach trips, and playing on the go.
• Why Choose It: Lightweight and highly portable, this size is perfect for taking the spirit of Turkish tavla with you wherever you travel.

What is Included in a Yenigun Set?

When you purchase a full Yenigun set, it typically comes equipped with everything you need to start playing immediately:

• 30 Checkers (Pullar): 15 light and 15 dark checkers. In the premium sets, these are often made of high-density melamine or finished wood that coordinates beautifully with the board's aesthetic.
• Dice (Zarlar): Standard 12mm dice designed for fair, randomized rolls.
• Dice Cups (Zar Kupaları): Some premium and trendy sets include matching wooden or leather-wrapped dice cups to ensure shaking is completely fair and to reduce noise.
• Doubling Cube: While traditional Turkish play does not use a doubling cube, many export models include one to accommodate Western-style backgammon rules.

How to Play Traditional Turkish Tavla

If you own a Yenigun Tavla backgammon board, playing by traditional Turkish rules is an absolute must to truly appreciate the culture behind the game. While the board layout and starting positions are identical to Western backgammon, the rules, pace, and etiquette of Turkish tavla have distinct variations.

The Core Goal

Like Western backgammon, the objective of tavla is to move all 15 of your checkers around the board and be the first to "bear them off" (remove them from the board) from your home board.

Key Rule Differences

1. No Doubling Cube: In Turkish coffeehouses, the doubling cube is nonexistent. Matches are typically played as a race to 5 points.
2. The Opening Roll: In Western rules, players each roll one die to see who goes first, and the winner uses those two numbers for their first move. In traditional Turkish tavla, players roll a single die to determine who goes first. The winner then rolls both dice to make their very first move, adding a bit more variance to the opening turn.
3. Bearing Off Restrictions: In traditional tavla, you must move your checkers precisely to the exact pocket when bearing off if possible. Furthermore, you cannot leave a "blot" (a single exposed checker) in your home board during the bearing-off phase if it can be avoided by making a legal move within your home board.
4. No "Backgammon" (Triple Win): In Western play, if you win while your opponent still has a checker in your home board or on the bar, it is a "backgammon" (worth 3 points). In traditional tavla, there are only two types of wins:
   • Oyun (1 Point): A standard victory where the loser has borne off at least one checker.
   • Mars (2 Points): A landslide victory where the winner bears off all 15 checkers before the loser has borne off a single one.

Turkish Tavla Etiquette and the Language of Dice

Playing tavla in Turkey is a highly expressive, vocal affair. To play like a local, you should learn the traditional Persian numbers, which are universally called out when the dice land. Shouting these out with enthusiasm adds a wonderful layer of fun to your matches:

• 1-1: Hep-yek
• 2-2: Dü-bara
• 3-3: Se-dü (or Se-se)
• 4-4: Cahar-ı Cihar (often shortened to Dört-cihar)
• 5-5: Dü-beş
• 6-6: Dü-şeş
• 2-1: Dü-yek
• 5-4: Beş-dört
• 6-5: Şeş-beş (the most famous roll in tavla!)

Coffeehouse Etiquette: It is customary to roll the dice from your hand rather than a cup, throwing them with a dramatic flick of the wrist. When hitting an opponent's single checker (a "blot"), players often snap their checker down onto the board with a loud, satisfying clack to announce the hit. When you win a match 5-0, it is tradition to gently fold the board shut and slide it under your opponent's arm—a humorous, friendly sign of complete dominance!

Caring for Your Yenigun Backgammon Board

To ensure your Yenigun backgammon board remains a stunning centerpiece and functional game for decades, proper care and maintenance are essential.

• Keep Away from Extreme Heat and Humidity: While the MDF core is highly resistant to warping, extreme environmental changes can stress the wood veneers and polyester lacquer. Avoid storing your board near radiators, fireplaces, or in damp basements.
• Clean with a Soft, Microfiber Cloth: To clean dust and fingerprints off the glossy polyester surface, simply wipe it with a dry or very slightly damp microfiber cloth. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners, window sprays, or abrasive polishes, as these can dull or scratch the lacquer over time.
• Care for Leather Trim: If you own a leather-wrapped Yenigun set, occasionally wipe down the leather exterior with a dedicated leather conditioner to keep it supple and prevent cracking.
• Store Checkers Safely: When you are finished playing, place the checkers and dice back into their protective fabric pouches before closing the board. Avoid leaving loose checkers rattling inside the board during transport, as heavy impacts could eventually chip the interior points. Use the built-in magnetic clips to keep the board firmly closed during storage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Yenigun backgammon made of real solid wood?

Most standard and trendy Yenigun boards feature a high-quality 16mm MDF core wrapped in beautiful wood-grain veneers, decoupaged prints, or laminates, sealed with a thick polyester varnish. This construction is highly intentional, as solid wood is highly prone to warping and cracking over time due to humidity changes. For collectors seeking natural inlaid woods, Yenigun's Premium Marquetry series utilizes genuine wood veneers (like walnut, ebony, and olive) hand-assembled to create stunning geometric patterns.

What is the difference between "Tavla" and "Backgammon"?

"Tavla" is simply the Turkish word for backgammon. While they share the exact same board, starting setup, and core movement mechanics, traditional Turkish tavla does not use a doubling cube, features slightly different opening and bearing-off rules, and does not recognize the triple-point "backgammon" win, playing only to 1 point (Oyun) or 2 points (Mars).

How do I clean the shiny polyester surface of my Yenigun board?

The glossy polyester finish is incredibly durable. To clean it, simply wipe it with a soft, clean, dry microfiber cloth. If there are stubborn smudges, use a microfiber cloth that is barely damp with warm water. Never use abrasive scrubbers or solvent-based chemical cleaners, which can permanently scratch or chemical-burn the lacquer.

Where are Yenigun backgammon boards manufactured?

All genuine Yenigun backgammon and chess sets are manufactured in Istanbul, Turkey, by Yenigün Oyun Aletleri. They are made by skilled craftsmen combining traditional woodworking methods with advanced, eco-friendly modern machinery.

Why do some Yenigun sets have magnetic clips?

Yenigun utilizes high-powered, hidden magnets inside the wooden frame of their folding boards. This allows the board to lock securely shut when folded without requiring external metal latches. This creates a much cleaner, sleek aesthetic when the board is closed and displayed on a shelf.

Conclusion

A yenigun tavla backgammon set is far more than a board game—it is an investment in Turkish culture, exceptional woodworking, and countless hours of shared joy. Whether you are drawn to the dazzling geometric complexity of the Khatam designs, the timeless warmth of the classic Walnut Burl, or the striking modern look of the Trendy Marble boards, Yenigun delivers an unparalleled playing experience.

By blending ancient artistic motifs with modern, warp-resistant MDF cores and ultra-durable, multi-layered polyester finishes, Yenigun has perfected the art of the backgammon board. If you want to bring the passionate, rhythmic, and strategic spirit of the Istanbul coffeehouses into your own home, there is no better way to do so than with a genuine Yenigun masterpiece. Roll the dice, call out your şeş-beş, and let the games begin!