In exceptionally general terms, there are three fundamental tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between game plans quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!
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