In very simple terms, there are 3 basic tactics used. You must be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious dire straits considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
