In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics employed. You must be agile enough to hop between strategies almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!
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