In very general terms, there are 3 chief game plans used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time dire straits since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
