07.17
Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes
In very general terms, there are 3 basic strategies employed. You need to be able to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-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 challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!
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