In very general terms, there are three general strategies employed. You want to be able to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you don’t have other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!
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