In very general terms, there are three chief techniques used. You need to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious trouble since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
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