In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques used. You want to be agile enough to hop between tactics quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time dire straits since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!