Backgammon – 3 General Plans
Monday, 22. July 2019
In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 chief plans used. You need to be able to hop between techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time trouble seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!
Posted in Backgammon by Jada