Backgammon – 3 General Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 04/26/2023 11:25 pm by Madisyn
In exceptionally simple terms, there are three chief tactics employed. You want to be able to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious difficulty since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!