06.02
Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes
In very simple terms, there are 3 general techniques employed. You must be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious difficulty because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
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