In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic tactics employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no point 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 opposer is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!
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