In astonishingly general terms, there are three general techniques used. You must be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your chances. The better areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
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