In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic game plans used. You must be agile enough to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits taking into account 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 anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is getting their checkers 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 might maintain your position until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!
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