In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 basic tactics employed. You need to be able to switch tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time difficulty seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!