[ English ]

In very simple terms, there are 3 general strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time difficulty seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, considering that you do not have other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!