Backgammon – 3 Basic Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 06/09/2019 11:25 pm by Zaire
In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 basic game plans employed. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious dire straits since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful 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 required to break apart this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!