In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 basic techniques used. You want to be agile enough to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!