Posted by Nadia | Posted in Backgammon | Posted on 26-04-2021
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three fundamental plans employed. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!