[ English ]

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

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious calamity due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The better places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, because you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!