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Backgammon – Three General Schemes
October 21st, 2023 by Claudia

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 chief tactics used. You must be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!


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