Posted by Nadia | Posted in Backgammon | Posted on 28-03-2018
In very general terms, there are three fundamental techniques employed. You need to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious calamity due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!