Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes
In very general terms, there are three chief tactics used. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time dire straits because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked 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 position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
