In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic tactics employed. You want to be able to switch tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time difficulty since they have two pieces 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 opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The best places for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!