[ English ]

In exceptionally general terms, there are three main tactics used. You want to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time calamity due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The better places for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!