Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans
Thursday, 8. August 2024
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics used. You must be able to switch strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious trouble considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!
Posted in Backgammon by Jada