Backgammon – 3 Basic Schemes
Friday, 30. May 2025
In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 general tactics used. You must be able to switch tactics instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!
Posted in Backgammon by Jada