In exceptionally general terms, there are three fundamental plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious dire straits seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!
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