In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics employed. You want to be able to hop between tactics instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!
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