In exceptionally simple terms, there are three fundamental plans used. You must be able to hop between tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious trouble seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The better places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!