In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!
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