In very simple terms, there are three general techniques used. You must be able to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!
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