Backgammon – Three General Schemes
Saturday, 22. April 2023
In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You must be able to switch tactics instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!
Posted in Backgammon by Jada