Bry: "Perhaps if we leave Fencer to get on with his improvements, we may see some to the BG games in time quicker."

Depends on which improvements. It may be a more effective option to give Fencer a brief spell of grief, no matter how uncomfortable it is for him and those who think "BrainKing is #1" and all is rosy in the garden. I think continuing the passive waiting game which has been the mode, to remain silent, is to be dumb in both senses of the word. How often do you persuade someone to change their mind by saying nothing?

I actually think BrainKing is #2. It comes second to the BrainKing which doesn't treat Backgammon like a toy game.