Which game is played on a marked board divided into two halves, each side containing 12 alternately colored points?

The game played on a marked board divided into two halves, each side containing 12 alternately colored points, is Backgammon. This classic two-player board game features a layout of 24 narrow triangles, known as "points" or "pips," arranged in a continuous horseshoe shape. These points are typically colored in alternating patterns and are grouped into four quadrants, with a central ridge called the "bar" dividing the board in half. Each player begins with 15 pieces, often referred to as checkers or men, and moves them in opposing directions around the board according to the roll of two dice. The primary objective is to be the first to move all of one's pieces into their designated "home board" and then "bear them off" the board entirely.

Backgammon boasts a rich and ancient history, with its origins believed to stretch back over 5,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia, in what is now modern-day Iraq and Iran. Archaeological discoveries have unearthed boards from this era, including a 5,200-year-old ivory board with pieces made of turquoise and agate. Precursors to backgammon, such as The Royal Game of Ur and the Roman game Tabula, shared similar concepts of racing pieces across a board. Over millennia, the game spread across various civilizations, earning titles like "The King of Games" or "The Game of Kings" due to its popularity among royalty and nobility.

The modern name "backgammon" is thought to have emerged in the 17th century, possibly from Welsh words meaning "back" and "battle," or Middle English words for "back" and "game." A significant innovation in the game's evolution was the introduction of the doubling cube in the 1920s, which added a strategic element allowing players to raise the stakes during a game. This blend of strategy and luck, influenced by dice rolls and player decisions, continues to make Backgammon a compelling and enduring game enjoyed worldwide.