In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 basic techniques employed. You need to be able to switch strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious trouble considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!