Backgammon – Three Main Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 07/03/2022 05:25 am by Lillie
In exceptionally general terms, there are three general techniques employed. You want to be able to switch game plans instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time difficulty seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!