In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies employed. You must be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time difficulty seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, because you don’t have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!
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