In very simple terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 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 six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!
This entry was posted on March 7, 2026, 2:25 pm and is filed under Backgammon. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.