In very general terms, there are three fundamental game plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses 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 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!
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