In extraordinarily general terms, there are three general techniques employed. You need to be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious difficulty seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!