Backgammon – Three General Schemes

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In exceptionally general terms, there are three general techniques employed. You want to be able to switch tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious trouble since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!