[ English ]

In very general terms, there are three fundamental strategies used. You want to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time trouble because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!