In very general terms, there are three general techniques employed. You must be able to switch techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time difficulty considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!