In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
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