In extraordinarily general terms, there are three chief techniques used. You need to be able to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious calamity due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!