Backgammon – 3 General Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 08/07/2021 06:25 am by Jillian
In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic plans used. You must be able to switch tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time dire straits seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!