In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 basic plans employed. You need to be able to hop between game plans instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!