Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 12/25/2021 08:25 am by Zaire
In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques used. You want to be able to switch techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time difficulty seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!