10.28
Backgammon – Three General Schemes
In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic strategies used. You need to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious difficulty considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 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 getting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!