In astonishingly simple terms, there are three basic strategies employed. You need to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious dire straits taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, because you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
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