In very simple terms, there are 3 main plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!