In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 main game plans used. You must be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious calamity since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other additional checkers to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!
