In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics used. You must be able to switch techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!