In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 main techniques used. You want to be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious difficulty seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!