In very general terms, there are 3 basic game plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!
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