Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques
Posted in Backgammon on 02/29/2016 03:21 am by Zaire
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief plans used. You must be agile enough to hop between game plans quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious calamity seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!