In very simple terms, there are three general tactics used. You need to be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger 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 course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!
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