10.26
Backgammon – 3 Basic Techniques
In very general terms, there are 3 chief plans used. You must be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious trouble since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, because you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!