In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques employed. You must be agile enough to hop between game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious trouble seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, because you do not have other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!