In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental game plans used. You want to be able to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!