In extraordinarily general terms, there are three general strategies used. You must be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious difficulty seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!
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