In exceptionally simple terms, there are three main strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time trouble since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The best locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!
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