Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes
In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 basic game plans employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!
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