Backgammon – Three Main Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 03/25/2022 05:25 pm by Zaire
In very simple terms, there are 3 general plans used. You need to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two 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 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time trouble considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, considering that you do not have other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!