Backgammon – 3 Basic Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 06/11/2020 03:25 am by Madisyn
In exceptionally general terms, there are three general plans used. You must be able to switch strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!