In very simple terms, there are three main plans used. You need to be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between 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 quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have other extra checkers to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!
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