In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 basic tactics used. You must be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!
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