It is based on the GNU Backgammon code and is among the first GNU Backgammon-based bots to play multiple-point matches. Checker play decisions are made using 1-ply lookahead (i.e. static evaluation plus opponent's responses) and cubing decisions are made using 2-ply lookahead.
mpgnu has attained a FIBS rating of around 1800, putting it in the top flight of bots, and providing evidence of the strength of the GNU Backgammon evaluator.
Other bots based on the GNU Backgammon code are gnu and mgnutest.