In exceptionally simple terms, there are three fundamental strategies employed. You must be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble taking into account 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 higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent 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 challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
