In very simple terms, there are three chief techniques used. You want to be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious calamity taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
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