In very simple terms, there are three basic techniques employed. You want to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, because you do not have other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!
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