In very simple terms, there are 3 main plans employed. You need to be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!
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