Backgammon – 3 General Schemes
In astonishingly simple terms, there are three main strategies employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time dire straits because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, because you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!
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