In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You need to be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle 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. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious trouble because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s better 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 a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!
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