In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 general techniques used. You need to be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time calamity since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt 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.
