In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques used. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious dire straits seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!
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