In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic strategies used. You need to be agile enough to hop between techniques almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!
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