Backgammon – Three General Strategies
In very general terms, there are three general tactics used. You need to be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you do not have other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
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