Backgammon – 3 Basic Schemes
In very simple terms, there are 3 general plans employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious calamity taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
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