Posted by Nadia | Posted in Backgammon | Posted on 29-12-2017
In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 general tactics employed. You need to be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious trouble because 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 opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The better places for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!