In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 basic techniques employed. You want to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!
Comments