Backgammon – Three Main Schemes
In very simple terms, there are 3 main strategies employed. You must be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the begining 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 game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!