Backgammon – 3 Main Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 09/02/2017 02:25 pm by Madisyn
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 general techniques employed. You must be able to switch techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in the opponent’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 assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time dire straits considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!