In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 basic strategies employed. You must be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!