Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 01/07/2016 10:21 am by Lillie
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 chief plans used. You need to be able to hop between tactics instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!