Backgammon – 3 Basic Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 12/22/2024 02:25 am by Madisyn
In very simple terms, there are 3 general tactics employed. You must be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious calamity since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!