In astonishingly simple terms, there are three general plans employed. You must be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!
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