In very general terms, there are three chief techniques employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious trouble since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!
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