In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 basic techniques employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one piece 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 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious trouble since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!
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