[ English ]

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three chief strategies used. You must be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious trouble because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, because you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable 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 wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!