In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques employed. You must be able to hop between game plans 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 are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised 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 roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!