[ English ]

In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 general game plans used. You must be able to switch techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time calamity because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!