[ English ]

In very general terms, there are three basic techniques used. You must be agile enough to hop between tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece 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 opponent is then in serious dire straits due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!