In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic plans used. You must be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious calamity seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!
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