In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies used. You need to be able to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-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 opponent is now in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, because you do not have other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!
