Backgammon – 3 Basic Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 12/22/2020 10:25 am by Zaire
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic plans employed. You want to be able to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious trouble seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!