In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies employed. You want to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious calamity due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this case!
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