In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental techniques used. You must be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious difficulty considering 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 higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other additional checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!