In exceptionally general terms, there are three main game plans employed. You must be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time difficulty since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!
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