In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between game plans instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!
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