In very general terms, there are three main tactics used. You want to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!
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