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The 5-point is a strong point. In the abstract, it’s the best point there is, so hitting to make the 5-point later is often a good idea. But making an anchor is a good idea too, and very often correct. If we could only do one of these good things, we’d do it. But here we can do either but not both, so we have to pick and choose.
In backgammon, the term ‘blitz’ refers to a position where one side is caught on the bar without an anchor, and the other side is trying to close him out before he can get in and organize his defenses. If the attacking side is successful, the result is often a gammon. If the defender can get in, he’ll usually save the gammon and may quickly take the advantage, especially if his opponent has become overextended. Blitzes are an important class of positions, and the aspiring player needs to understand them well.
Blitz positions fall into three main categories. The first is the familiar early game blitz, where one side (say, White) runs out or splits his back men and Black then throws a double, making a couple of inner points while sending White to the bar. When White dances, we’re in an early blitz situation. Most of these positions are doubles and takes, although there are exceptions, depending on how many builders are available to continue the blitz and how many vulnerable checkers the defender has.
Phillip grew up in England, attended Sherborne School, spent three years as an officer in the British Army, serving in Germany, and finished his education at Lincoln College, Oxford. During those years “Phil” became an excellent Rugby player, representing his county, Cornwall, and capped by the Greyhounds, the Oxford University second fifteen – for those interested he played fullback. Further in that vein he also became an excellent skier, and did in fact live for some years in Switzerland.
Post university Phillip Martyn began to travel, Europe first and then the USA, eventually living in New York City. It was there and then, in the early to mid-1960s, that he (and I) learned backgammon, and swiftly got hooked. Phil struck up a camaraderie with Ted Bassett a smooth and amiable golf and backgammon expert, whose own year divided into segments — Palm Beach, St Moritz, Monte Carlo, Biarritz and the airports between. Phil saw nothing wrong with that and so for the next three decades his lifestyle was set.
> Black’s open 3-point needs to be filled in before he starts his bearoff.
> The open 7-point is a small nuisance.
> Black still has to clear the 16-point.
Are all these problems serious enough to stop Black from doubling? Or is the 2-point game so weak that White already has a pass? Before we answer these questions, let’s take a little look at the structure of the 2-point game itself.
Black has been playing a 1-5 back game (probably the weakest of all back game formations) and now faces a roll that messes up his plans even further. With a 4-4 to play, he has to sacrifice something. He can move off the 24-point, move off the 20-point with one or both men, or try to keep both back game points and play entirely on his side of the board. Nothing is really appetizing, but he needs to make the best of a bad situation.
