In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic tactics used. You must be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time difficulty seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better places for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!
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