Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans
Thursday, 15. August 2024
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques employed. You need to be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!
Posted in Backgammon by Jada