Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are towards your opponent's smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there's no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, considering that you don't have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!