Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes
In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans used. You must be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious trouble taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other extra 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 opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!
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