In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You want to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger 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 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious dire straits seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The better places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
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