Backgammon – Three Basic Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 10/30/2022 05:25 pm by Jillian
In very simple terms, there are 3 chief techniques employed. You need to be able to switch strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time trouble considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best places for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!