In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You must be agile enough to switch game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!
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