In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty since they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!
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