In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 main strategies used. You want to be able to switch tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. 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 progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra checkers 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 provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!
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