In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques employed. You want to be able to switch techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!
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