Backgammon

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You want to be able to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one checker 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 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!