In astonishingly general terms, there are three basic plans employed. You want to be able to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity since they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance 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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