Backgammon – 3 General Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 06/10/2025 09:25 am by Madisyn
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 general techniques used. You want to be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have two pieces 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 opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better places for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable 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 may be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!