Backgammon – 3 General Plans
Sunday, 11. June 2023
In exceptionally simple terms, there are three chief game plans used. You must be able to hop between game plans quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, because you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till 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