Backgammon – 3 Basic Techniques
In astonishingly simple terms, there are three general plans used. You must be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to block in the competitor's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses 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 six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your opponent's lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there's no reason 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 challenger is getting their checkers home, because you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it's more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!
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