Posted by Nadia | Posted in Backgammon | Posted on 28-09-2022
In very general terms, there are three general tactics employed. You want to be able to switch techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!