88 Park Avenue, Suite 302 | Arlington, MA 02476 | 781-641-2091

The premier source for backgammon books, lessons & blog problems.

“Reading every word, slowly studying each diagram and following your analysis was invaluable to strengthening not only my checker play but my understanding of fundamental backgammon.”

A Tactic Against a Back Game

Nov 14, 2019 | Backgammon Problems: Back Games, Uncategorized

White – Pips 190 (+68)

Black – Pips 122 (-68)
Black to Play 5-2
In this position Black has established a solid grip. He’s escaped all his back checkers, built his 4-point and his 7-point, and leads the race by 68 pips (122-190) before rolling.

If Black has accomplished all that, then White probably hasn’t done nearly as well, and in fact he’s stuck in a 2-5 game with an as yet undeveloped front game. Some players refer to the 2-5 as a back game, but I think of it more as a hybrid between a back game and a holding game. The 2-5 game can’t really be primed, so White never has any trouble recirculating checkers, effectively eliminating the main strategy for busting a back game. The flip side for Black is that the 2-5 game won’t generate nearly as many shots as a pure back game, so Black’s in less danger of being hit.

Did Black miss a chance to double before his roll? No, not at all. While he has an edge, he still has plenty of work to do: he needs to fill in the 3-point and clear his midpoint, for starters. While he’s doing all that, White will be filling in his home board. Although White’s position looks weak now, it will be much more formidable when the crisis comes a few moves down the road. But the simplest way to see this isn’t a double is to note that Black doesn’t have any market losers. No matter what he throws (5-3 is probably his best shot) White will still have a take next turn. If your opponent is always taking next turn, there’s no need to double this turn.

So what should Black do with his 5-2 roll? The obvious play is 13/8 6/4. It leaves no blots, continues the process of clearing the midpoint, and creates a third builder for the 3-point. Black’s ongoing plan will be to bring down more spares, make the 3-point naturally over the next few rolls, clear the midpoint, and find a good spot to double. Most players would choose this route, and it’s perfectly sound.

A better choice, however, is the slotting play: 8/3 6/4! Black needs the 3-point badly, and while he’s likely to make it naturally over the course of the next few moves, he may not. Slotting gives him by far the best overall chance to make the point. It’s also much safer than it looks, since White should only hit if he rolls 1-1. With any other ace (even 3-1) White should just make his 5-point and keep building.

It’s easy to overlook these plays because it appears that Black will make the point naturally at some time in the future. That’s never guaranteed, however, and if your opponent’s position is weak enough then slotting the needed point will often be the right play.

Search

The Gammon Press

Use the form to search books, blogs, and resources.

Browse blog categories using the drop-down.

Featured

Titles