Posted by Nadia | Posted in Backgammon | Posted on 02-09-2023
In very general terms, there are 3 main game plans used. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious dire straits since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, because you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!