In very general terms, there are three general tactics used. You want to be agile enough to hop between tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can build 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 consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-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 challenger is then in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have 2 checkers 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 a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
