[ English ]

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three chief strategies used. You need to be able to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time trouble seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!