In very general terms, there are 3 basic tactics employed. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time difficulty taking into account that 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 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!