In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 chief tactics used. You must be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time dire straits taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!
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