In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You want to be able to hop between tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious difficulty considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!
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