Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques
In very simple terms, there are three fundamental game plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious trouble since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!