In very simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques used. You need to be able to hop between techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. 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 progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious calamity since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!
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