In astonishingly simple terms, there are three general techniques used. You must be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
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