In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques employed. You want to be able to hop between techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

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

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!