In very simple terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious trouble because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, because you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
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