[ English ]

In very simple terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies employed. You must be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, because you do not have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!