In exceptionally simple terms, there are three general tactics employed. You need to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time dire straits since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better places for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effectual 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 down this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!
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