In astonishingly general terms, there are three chief techniques used. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The better places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!
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