In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 basic strategies employed. You must be able to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious trouble taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!
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