In astonishingly simple terms, there are three basic strategies employed. You want to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!