Backgammon – 3 Basic Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 03/04/2016 01:21 pm by Zaire
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 general techniques used. You need to be able to switch strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time difficulty because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!