In exceptionally general terms, there are three fundamental strategies used. You want to be agile enough to hop between tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time calamity considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!