In extraordinarily general terms, there are three main strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious difficulty since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!
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