In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 chief techniques employed. You must be able to hop between techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’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 anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious trouble since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The better places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!
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