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13Aug/250

Backgammon – Three Main Strategies


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In very general terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics employed. You need to be able to switch techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves 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 checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time trouble because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent's smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don't have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it's more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!

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