Archive for May 28th, 2020

Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes

Posted in Backgammon on 05/28/2020 05:25 pm by Jillian

In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies used. You must be able to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!