Archive for March 16th, 2016

Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes

Posted in Backgammon on 03/16/2016 10:21 am by Zaire
[ English ]

In very general terms, there are three chief tactics employed. You need to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious dire straits due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!