[ English ]

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You need to be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time calamity since they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!